Outlying analyst concedes error, boards 2027 folding iPad ship date train

AppleInsider

An iPad-like foldable device probably won't ship by the end of 2026 but the iPhone Fold is still on schedule, according to a course correction by analyst Jeff Pu.

A mock-up of what a folding iPad could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsider

Apple is currently rumored to be working on a pair of foldable devices, with the iPhone Fold joined by a larger version that's closer to an iPad Pro in size. While the prospect of the smartphone version are good for a 2026 release, one analyst now doubts that the larger model will make it in the same timeframe.

A research note released after Apple's third-quarter earnings from GF Securities' Jeff Pu writes about "limited innovation" expected for the fall's iPhone 17 lineup. Rather than discuss that at length, Pu prefers to talk about the more exciting iPhone Fold.

According to Pu's supply chain checks, the iPhone Fold is still on course for a release in the second half of 2026. This would put it as part of the iPhone 18 generation.

While Pu has good news for the iPhone Fold, he says that the second foldable device is probably going to be postponed. Pu doesn't say why there will be a delay, only that it won't be entering mass production by the end of 2026.

An analyst correction

While hearing from Pu about the delay of the larger foldable device may sound groundbreaking, it could be considered more a course correction for Pu himself.

Pu has repeatedly put forward the narrative that an all-screen MacBook Pro or a folding iPad-like device was arriving very soon. In mid-2024, he believed the device would appear in late 2025, ahead of the iPhone Fold.

By March 2025, he insisted two foldable devices were entering Apple's New Product Introduction stage of manufacturing, with mass production scheduled for the second half of 2026. One month later in April, he claimed that mass production would occur in the fourth quarter of 2026 for both items, and could result in a release before the end of that year.

The Pu claim of a postponed folding iPad brings the analyst in line with speculation from others.

Ming-Chi Kuo said in March 2024 that a large-screen foldable won't appear until 2027. A December 2024 post from Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants also chimed in on the 2027 release window.

Mark Gurman also posted in December 2024 about the foldable iPad, but with a more pessimistic expectation of a 2028 release.

Pu is prolific when discussing Apple rumors, but is often aggressive when it comes to product release scheduling. His claims on timing are hard to believe, based both on the expectations of other analysts and rumors, as well as an educated guess.

Scheduling aside, current speculation for the folding iPad is that it will have an 18.8-inch display, folding down to 7 or 8 inches. Other specifications, such as whether it uses an A-series or M-series chip and whether it replaces the iPad mini in the lineup, aren't quite as firm based on rumor mill chatter.

Rumor Score: Possible

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blastdoor

From my point of view, folding isn’t worth any trade offs in price, battery life, or anything else. If two phones are identical in every other way, I’d consider buying the folding version. Otherwise, nope.

blastdoor

I just asked ChatGPT to assess the trade offs in actual shopping products:

https://chatgpt.com/s/t_6890c18c2be0819186de51bee9505857

The trade offs are totally ridiculous. There’s no way I’d get a folding phone with those trade offs 

victormortimer

No.  Just no.

Unless there are major advances in materials science, folding screens are a no-go.  They're more fragile, they're always going to have an ugly crease sooner or later, and they're ridiculously expensive.

At this point, my fear is that the way Apple is known to jump headfirst into things that they'll go all-folding.  And I think that would be my red line, I don't want one at any price.

blastdoor

VictorMortimer said:

No.  Just no.

Unless there are major advances in materials science, folding screens are a no-go.  They're more fragile, they're always going to have an ugly crease sooner or later, and they're ridiculously expensive.

At this point, my fear is that the way Apple is known to jump headfirst into things that they'll go all-folding.  And I think that would be my red line, I don't want one at any price.

I seriously doubt that Apple will go all folding. For many years now, they have kept around older iPhone form factors at lower price points. This started perhaps most noticeably when they released the iPhone 8 and iPhone X in the same year. Also, others have been selling folding phones for a few years now -- Apple has been very cautious about entering this market, for good reason. I just can't see Apple doing something super dumb here. 

foregoneconclusion

The 4:3 aspect ratio of the iPad works better for a folding device than a smartphone aspect ratio. It actually gives you a significantly larger widescreen experience for movies and games when unfolded. The smartphone aspect ratio doesn't do that. Widescreen is only marginally different when unfolded.