Apple's iPad project with a flexible screen is progressing, but slowly. Recent reports from sources like Bloomberg indicate that the device is not yet ready for commercial release, citing development delays and a longer-than-expected launch.
We're talking about a large-format device with ambitions of being a hybrid between a tablet and a laptop, whose launch window is getting further away. The foldable model, with an approximately 18-inch screen , would need more time to resolve issues with weight, hinge, and folding mechanism before reaching the brand's standards.
An ambitious project that is postponed
Apple is working on a concept that would essentially be a 13-inch laptop , without an additional external screen, prioritizing a large, continuous internal display. While its final placement within the product line is still under discussion, the idea is a device positioned between the iPad and Mac , with a focus on productivity and multitasking.
The development is described as more complex than expected. Internally, it's being used under the codename J312 , and the roadmap has shifted from the unofficial target of 2028 to a more distant horizon, marking a change of pace within the product plans.
Weight and fold, the great obstacles
The prototypes would weigh around 1,6 kg (3,5 lbs) , a high figure for a tablet that aims to compete in portability with lightweight laptops. The challenge is to shave off grams without compromising the rigidity of the chassis or the stability of the hinge mechanism.
The other critical front lies in the panel: Apple is aiming for a virtually invisible curve when folded, in partnership with Samsung Display . Achieving a clean and uniform fold on such a large screen requires innovations in materials, protective layers, and hinge design.
This effort translates into more complex manufacturing and stricter quality controls, which extends the timeline . The priority is to avoid visible defects and ensure durability before scaling up production.
To narrow down the key points of the ongoing work, the objectives include: reducing the overall weight , minimizing the crease mark, and ensuring a reliable hinge over time.
Price and positioning in the range
Estimates place the foldable model at around $3.900 , roughly three times the starting price of the 13-inch iPad Pro. This price jump is due to the cost of a large-format flexible OLED panel , the hinge engineering, and the validation process.
Translated to Europe, the figure could climb due to taxes and distribution, potentially exceeding 4.000 euros in countries like Spain , depending on the configuration and current taxation.
Calendar and roadmap
The 2028 launch window that was being considered no longer aligns with the current state of development, and the launch is now expected no earlier than 2029. The company is prioritizing resolving issues related to weight, folding mechanism, and reliability, even if that means extending the timeline.
Within the overall strategy, a foldable iPhone may arrive on display 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 sleek aluminum laptop , without a secondary screen. Open, it offers a spacious work area designed for splitting views, editing content, and taking advantage of gestures and a stylus.
Apple is exploring solutions such as haptic feedback to simulate typing on the lower part of the screen and next-generation accessories — for example, a magnetic folio keyboard — to accompany a device without an integrated physical keyboard.
Competition and market context
In the large foldable screen segment, there are already benchmark offerings. Huawei's MateBook Fold (18 inches) serves as a mirror image in size and focus, with a price that hovered around $3.400 in its market and a weight lower than Apple's prototypes, according to internal comparisons.
Cupertino's strategy is more conservative: avoid compromises on folding quality, materials, and hinges, even if it means arriving later and with a higher price tag. 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 redefine mobile work. If the global price is confirmed, in Spain the foldable model would be positioned in a clearly premium segment , with the final retail price depending on VAT and storage configuration.
Creative professionals, developers, and those already using the iPad Pro would be the first candidates, provided the device offers real productivity compared to a traditional laptop and improves workflow over a conventional tablet.
As of today, everything points to Apple's foldable iPad needing a little more time to develop: it wouldn't debut before 2029 , it's expected to have an 18-inch screen, it aims to reduce its weight to around 1,6 kilos and arrive with an almost invisible fold; if we add to that an estimated price of around $3.900 and a focus on not having an external screen, the challenge lies in turning that engineering into a solid experience that convinces in Europe and, especially, in the demanding Spanish market.
