iPhone Fold in 2026 is probable, but iPad Fold is doubtful

AppleInsider

The iPhone Fold should arrive in 2026, an analyst insists, but they're probably wrong about the iPad Fold arriving in the same year.

Render of a possible iPhone Fold - Source AppleInsider

Apple is rumored to be working on foldable versions of its mobile products, including the iPhone Fold and a similar concept for an iPad. The fruits of Apple's labors may finally arrive, with the earliest anticipated in 2026.

In a research note from Jeff Pu, Apple has two foldable devices on the roster, including a 7.8-inch iPhone Fold and an 18.8-inch iPad Fold.

Pu claims that both devices will be entering mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026. This could result in a release of the devices before the end of that year.

This isn't Pu's first claim that both an iPhone Fold and an iPad Fold will arrive in 2026. In March, he said that two foldable devices were entering Apple's New Product Introduction (NPI) stage of manufacturing, with mass production to start in the second half of 2026.

Going further back to August 2024, Pu wrote that an iPhone Fold and an iPad counterpart would land in the second half of 2026.

Questionable iPad Fold timing

Pu's claim for the iPhone Fold does match other rumors and speculation about the foldable device collection. Regular reports from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and leaker Mark Gurman also line up with the narrative of a late 2026 release as being the earliest possible timing for the supposed model.

However, the scheduling of the iPad Fold doesn't quite match up with other speculation.

Kuo speculated in March 2024 that a large-screen foldable device won't arrive until 2027. In December 2024, Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants offered that an iPad Pro with a foldable display won't arrive until 2027.

Mark Gurman has also discussed a foldable iPad, pointing in December 2024 to a possible release in 2028.

Given the difference in the size of the display and the associated challenges of scaling up a folding display, it certainly makes sense for Apple to take more time to get the foldable iPad right. This makes Pu's claim of an iPad with a folding display by 2026 seem less likely to happen.

Pu is certainly prolific about Apple rumors, but he tends to offer very aggressive schedules for product releases and his track record is unproven. While it is believable that Apple is working on folding hardware, Pu's release time claims are not that believable, especially when compared to others that have an established track record saying something completely different.



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badmonk

Though an iPad has a larger display and presents some challenges, it also has less daily use than an iPhone so paradoxically maybe less susceptible to repetitive wear.

grizzmick

Again with the foldable iPhone/ipad bullshirt. Apple are very likely to be working on such products because the android makers are but seriously who’s buying them. I’ve only seen one which was a galaxy flip which was pretty useless. I doubt Apple will ever release a foldable seeing it’s been such a flop for Samsung etc. 

tht

Bears repeating. If the prediction is 18mo out or more, it means the product is not real. Apple would be awarding mass production contracts to component suppliers something like 6mo to 12mo before shipping. 

We will know when the product is real with a “rumor” maybe a 8mo to 12mo out. It’s tough to obfuscate activity involving the production of a million hinges, folding OLEDs, etc. 

All they are doing now is prototyping, seeing if they can make a product they can sell. The software for these folding displays will be immature upon release as usual. 

applezulu

I think the analyst has this a little more than backwards. The folding iPad will come first, and the folding iPhone won't come at all.