Apple's flexible iPad project is moving forward, but slowly. The latest information from sources such as Bloomberg suggest that the device is not ready for commercial release, according to reports about the brake on development and that its arrival is postponed longer than expected.
We're talking about a large-format device with the ambition of being a hybrid tablet and laptop, but its launch window is moving away. The foldable model, with panel of approximately 18 inches, would need more time to work out weight, hinge and fold quality before reaching the brand's standards.
An ambitious project that is postponed
Apple is working on a concept that would close as a 13 inch laptop, without an additional external screen, prioritizing a large, continuous internal canvas. Although its final fit in the range is debated, the idea is a device halfway between iPad and Mac, with a focus on productivity and multitasking.
The development is described as more complex than expected. Internally, a codename J312, and the Roadmap would have gone from the unofficial target of 2028 to a more distant horizon, marking a change of pace within product plans.
Weight and fold, the great obstacles
The prototypes would be around 1,6 kilos (3,5 pounds), a high figure for a tablet that aims to compete in mobility with lightweight laptops. The challenge is to cut grams without compromising the chassis stiffness nor the stability of the hinge mechanism.
The other critical front is on the panel: Apple is pursuing a virtually invisible curvature when folding, by the hand of Samsung DisplayAchieving a clean, uniform fold at such a large size requires innovations in materials, protective layers, and hinge design.
This effort translates into manufacturing complexity and stricter quality controls, which extends the calendarThe priority is to avoid visible defects and ensure durability before scaling up production.
To outline the key points of the work in progress, the objectives are: reduce overall weight, minimize the crease mark and ensure a reliable hinge over time.
Price and positioning in the range
Estimates place the folding model at around $3.900, roughly three times the starting price of the 13-inch iPad Pro. That jump is due to the cost of a large-format flexible OLED panel, hinge engineering and validation process.
Transferred to Europe, the figure could increase due to taxes and distribution, potentially reaching above the 4.000 euros in countries like Spain, depending on the configuration and current taxation.
Calendar and roadmap
The window that was considered for 2028 no longer fits with the state of development and the launch is postponed not before 2029The company prioritizes addressing weight, foldability, and reliability issues, even if it means extending delivery times.
Within the overall strategy, it is possible that a foldable iPhone arrive at the showcase sooner, taking advantage of the fact that its more compact format reduces some technical risks compared to an 18-inch panel.
Design and user experience
When closed, the device resembles a stylized laptop in aluminum, without a secondary display. When opened, it offers a spacious work area designed for split views, editing content, and taking advantage of gestures and the pen.
Apple explores solutions such as a haptic feedback to simulate typing in the lower area of ​​the screen and new generation accessories - for example, a magnetic folio keyboard— to accompany a device without an integrated physical keyboard.
Competition and market context
In the segment of large folding screens there are already benchmark proposals. The Huawei MateBook Fold (18 inches) serves as a mirror in size and focus, with a price that was around $3.400 in its market and a weight lower than that of Apple prototypes, according to internal comparisons.
Cupertino's strategy is more conservative: avoid commitments in terms of folding quality, materials, and hinge, even if that means arriving later and with a higher RRP. The challenge lies in balancing usability, cost, and long-term reliability.
Impact for Spain and Europe
For European users, the delay means waiting longer for a format that could reshape mobile work. If the global price is confirmed, the folding model in Spain would move within a range clearly premium, with a final RRP conditioned by VAT and storage configuration.
Creative professionals, developers and profiles that already get the most out of the iPad Pro would be the first candidates, as long as the device provides real productivity compared to a traditional laptop and improve workflow over a conventional tablet.
As of today, everything points to Apple's foldable iPad having to cook a little more: would not debut before 2029, aims for an 18-inch screen, seeks to reduce its weight by around 1,6 kilos, and offer a nearly invisible fold; if we add to this an estimated price of around $3.900 and a no-external-screen approach, the challenge lies in turning this engineering into a solid experience that will convince in Europe and, especially, in the demanding Spanish market.
