Apple seems to be joining the foldable device industry, an exciting development that we can’t wait to delve into. There have been countless speculations and rumors circulating online for quite some time, suggesting Apple’s intention to venture into the foldable technology sector, a path Samsung has successfully treaded in recent years. The most credible sources indicate that Apple is planning to release two foldable devices, a new iPhone and a new iPad.
Related: Samsung unveils its foldable lineup for 2025 in new software
Without further ado, let’s unpack the information we have so far on Apple’s prospective first foldable devices.
Foldable iPhone: The Latest Information
Talks about a foldable iPhone have been ongoing since at least 2021. Recent reports, however, have given us a better understanding of what to anticipate from the device and a potential timeline for its release. In February, The Information disclosed that Apple is developing a clamshell-style foldable iPhone, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series. These phones fold into a compact size and unfold to roughly the size of a standard smartphone, different from the Galaxy Z Fold that resembles a small tablet when unfolded.
The Wall Street Journal supported these claims in December, suggesting that the new device’s display size would surpass that of the iPhone 16 Pro Max when unfolded. There’s a possibility the device could launch as early as 2026, but this isn’t a certainty. As always with concept devices, there’s a chance it might never come to market.
However, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, known for his accurate insights about Apple, also stated in his Power On newsletter in December that a foldable iPhone could launch in 2026. When two major outlets report similar news, it’s more than just gossip.
As of now, there isn’t much else to definitively say about the foldable iPhone. If these reports are accurate, we may be nearly two years away from even getting a glimpse of the device. Details about its design, price, battery life, and unique software features will have to wait.
Foldable iPad: The Latest Information
The bright side about the foldable iPad is that both the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg have given us some insights. Unfortunately, we don’t have much more information about the iPad than we do about the iPhone.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is developing a larger device intended to function as a laptop, with a display roughly 19-inches in size when unfolded. This aligns with Korean outlet The Elec’s report in 2022 that Apple was developing a 20-inch foldable display for use in either a laptop or a tablet.
The question remains: Is it a MacBook or an iPad? The Wall Street Journal suggested it would be closer to a laptop, while Gurman’s newsletter proposed it would be more like a large iPad and would likely run on iPadOS instead of macOS. This difference is significant as iPadOS and macOS don’t have the same features and aren’t compatible with entirely the same apps.
We’ll have to be patient to find out, as Gurman suggested this larger device would launch in 2028, long after the speculated foldable iPhone release. All reports also indicate technical challenges that need to be overcome, such as ensuring the devices are as thin as possible and can lay flat when unfolded. If the rumors are accurate, Apple has ample time to iron out these issues before the products come to market.
