Kuo: Folding All-Screen MacBook Delayed Until Late 2027 At the Earliest

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot


Apple's rumored foldable MacBook won't arrive until the end of 2027 or 2028 at the earliest because of technical challenges, according to the latest prediction by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

foldable-macbook-astropad.jpg
Concept by Astropad​

Previous reports from display industry analyst Ross Young, Haitong analyst Jeff Pu, Korean website The Elec, and Kuo himself suggested that Apple is developing an all-display foldable laptop that will feature a 20.2-inch or an 18.8-inch screen.

When folded, the laptop was rumored to be a full-size on-screen keyboard that seamlessly integrates the typing experience into the display itself. When completely unfolded, the device was said to function as a standard monitor. Paired with an external keyboard, it would essentially transform into a large-screen desktop setup.

Kuo in May said that LG Display was aiming to begin mass production of display panels for a MacBook with a 20.2-inch or an 18.8-inch foldable screen in the fourth quarter of 2025. However, his latest post on X (Twitter) claims that Apple has canceled the 20-inch design and has now settled on a display size of 18.8 inches.

"Some market participants previously expected Apple to launch the foldable iPad in 2025," said Kuo in his latest post. "But the current supply chain survey indicates that the foldable iPad has no visibility. This may also be because some call this foldable MacBook a foldable iPad."

Apple has been experimenting with various devices with foldable displays, including a foldable iPad and MacBook. Obviously the MacBook is already foldable, but Apple has reportedly been exploring an all-display MacBook form factor that has no standard keyboard.

Display analyst Ross Young said in July 2022 that Apple could bring some kind of foldable laptop to market in 2026 or 2027, and it remains unclear if such a device would be classified as a Mac, an ‌iPad‌, or something in between.

In a May report, Haitong analyst Jeff Pu said Apple's first foldable devices would reach mass production in 2025 and 2026, following increasing evidence of foldable devices in Apple's supply chain. At the time, the analyst said Apple would likely release a large-screen foldable iPad or MacBook in that timeframe before launching a higher-volume foldable iPhone in late 2026.

Pu had claimed one Apple foldable with a 20.3-inch display would start production in late 2025, which was sooner than previously expected. However, Pu later said he believed Apple would join the foldable market in the second quarter of 2026 due to "display durability issues," reflecting Apple's intention to perfect a foldable design. It seems Apple is still in the prototyping stage of a foldable device. Would you be interested in such a product? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Kuo: Folding All-Screen MacBook Delayed Until Late 2027 At the Earliest
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/22/kuo-foldable-macbook-delayed-2027/
Last edited:
redbeard331 said:
Why not just make two separate touchscreens so we don’t have to worry about a crease or durability?
Click to expand...
^ that.

With current bezel width, it could have gap of literally couple millimeters.

Guess the idea is that when unfolded you can watch movies etc.

If they would fix durability issues (Samsung Fold phone started bubbling up after just 3 months of use), personally I would buy me foldable MBP in an instant: use it in clamshell mode all of the time, but having 19" display when needed is very nice.
 
Last edited:
Ok I’m generally not at all excited about foldables but this is actually kind of smart. Imagine a physical keyboard and magnetic monitor stand that live on your desk full time. So most of the time this is a standard desktop workstation. But then you can fold the screen and take it with you like a laptop. Would be great if you travel a lot between two different offices… keep a stand and keyboard at each location. Interesting. It could also be used unfolded on a table as a gigantic drawing tablet. So it’s a laptop, desktop monitor, and giant drawing tablet all in one.
 
Kinda keen to see this product come to fruition so we can better visualise it's potential. I'm curious which OS will be driving it. At this moment in time I feel it would be iOS?
 
redbeard331 said:
Why not just make two separate touchscreens so we don’t have to worry about a crease or durability?
Click to expand...
Two reasons; the product should utilize the big single screen as a feature (don’t know how looking at the concept image), also you can ask more money cuz folding is hip and cool and stuff.
 
We just need someone to hack it, so that 1 side is a Mac, the other is an iPad interface...we all know it will be the same hardware. 😂
 
If it's going to run iPadOS, it'll have all the weaknesses of an iPad with the software unable to take full advantage of the hardware, and lacking the depth of functionality that a Mac buyer would want.

If it's going to run MacOS, they're better just adding touch to the current range of MacBooks.

If it's going to run a new operating system, it's going to lack third-party support in a way that is plaguing the Vision Pro.

I can't see this product as described happening at all.
 
What?

Are they going to make it run iPadOS in folded mode? Typing like this would suck.

And you're going to have carry around a separate keyboard/trackpad which defeats the purpose of folding it? You'll look stupid in a meeting while people wait for you to unfold your screen, take out a wireless keyboard/trackpad from your backpack and connect them wirelessly.

Why would anyone want this over a standard Mac? Or even an iPad with keyboard case?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top