Despite all the delays, the large foldable iPad is not canceled. A supply chain report suggests that Apple intends to use the same crease-free folding mechanism as the iPhone Ultra – thus paving the way for the tablet.
The iPad Fold has been one of the most persistent Apple rumors for years, and in recent months there has been considerably more skepticism than optimism. Mark Gurman even recently called the project a "crazy experiment" that might never see the light of day. However, a new clue from the supply chain now suggests that development is continuing – and that the iPad Fold is expected to use the same crease-free folding mechanism that Apple is preparing for the iPhone Ultra. This establishes, for the first time, a clear technical connection between the two foldable devices, which Apple is planning independently but with the same display concept.
The clue from the supply chain
The information comes from the Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, who posted a brief note on Weibo. In essence, it states that feedback from the supply chain indicates Apple and a competitor are using seamless hinge solutions for large-format foldable devices. Digital Chat Station is considered a well-connected insider in the Chinese supplier environment – while his track record isn't flawless, it's solid enough to warrant taking his posts seriously.
The key takeaway: The iPad Fold will use the same display technology as the iPhone Ultra. In itself, this isn't surprising – Apple will apply the same technical standards to both devices, meaning a crease-free display and a robust folding mechanism. The real news lies between the lines: The iPad Fold remains in Apple's supply chain. This doesn't guarantee a market launch, but it makes it more likely.
Apple's goal: a crease-free display
The folding mechanism has been the central weakness of all foldable devices on the market for years. Whether Samsung, Honor, or Huawei – a visible crease remains at the fold, which is distracting in certain lighting conditions. Apple wants to avoid this flaw altogether. The same goal apparently applies to both foldable devices in its portfolio: the iPhone Ultra this fall and the significantly larger iPad Fold at a later date.
The fact that both devices share the same display and hinge solution has solid economic reasons. Apple can spread development costs, order components in larger quantities, and directly apply experience from iPhone Ultra production to the iPad Fold. This is precisely the path now confirmed by the information from the supply chain.
What is known so far about the iPad Fold
There was much confusion about the device's exact format for a long time. Early reports suggested a MacBook with a soft keyboard that could be unfolded to reveal a huge display. Others described it as a classic foldable iPad. The latter scenario has since emerged as the more likely scenario.
There is more agreement regarding the display size. Estimates ranged from 18 to 20 inches, with a focus on around 18.8 inches. Other sources point to an 18-inch OLED panel from Samsung, which Apple apparently has firmly planned to use. When closed, the device, with its aluminum casing, is said to resemble a MacBook – without an external display, allowing the lid to close completely. When opened, the screen area roughly corresponds to a 13-inch MacBook Air, but without a physical keyboard.
According to reports, current prototypes weigh around 1.6 kilograms – significantly more than the current iPad Pro. This presents one of the biggest hurdles: Apple needs to noticeably reduce the weight, otherwise the device won't be practical as a tablet. Furthermore, the question remains how to work effectively on the display without a physical keyboard.
Delay to 2029 instead of 2028
Bloomberg reported in March that development continues despite all obstacles. However, the originally targeted market launch in 2028 is unlikely to be met. According to recent reports, problems with weight and display technology make it more probable that the device will not appear until 2029. Apple briefly paused the project last summer, but then resumed it.
Mark Gurman also pointed out that this is one of John Ternus's pet projects - the designated new Apple CEO, who will lead the company from September 1, 2026. At the same time, Gurman doesn't rule out a complete cancellation. The description as a "crazy experiment" comes from his report and is based on statements from several people who worked on the project.
The question of price remains open
An 18-inch OLED panel with a crease-free folding mechanism is expensive to produce. Apple already charges $1,299 for the 13-inch iPad Pro. An iPad Fold with a significantly larger and more complex display would therefore likely land in a completely new price bracket. Unless component prices fall significantly in the coming years, a market price that would severely limit the target audience is likely.
Apple is thus facing a classic dilemma: The iPad Fold is intended to open up a new product category – possibly the first mass-market foldable tablet ever – but at the same time, it must be commercially viable. This very question has slowed the project down in the past.
Mac and iPad are getting closer together
The strategic component is noteworthy. Apple has always kept Mac and iPad separate product lines. The iPad Fold would challenge this separation: When closed, the device looks like a MacBook; when unfolded, the top half becomes the display and the bottom half the software keyboard. This would make it neither a classic Mac nor a classic iPad – but a hybrid that could replace both, depending on its use.
This is precisely where the doubts arise. Who types daily on a software keyboard without haptic feedback? How will Apple's strategy change when iPadOS suddenly has to run on a display almost the size of a Mac? These are the questions that are apparently still being discussed internally – and which Ternus will have to address early on.
The iPhone Ultra paves the way
From today's perspective, a clear sequence of events is emerging. The iPhone Ultra will arrive in the fall and will be the first real test for Apple's folding mechanism. Only when this technology proves successful in the mass market will Apple seriously prepare for the iPad Fold. This sequence also explains the time gap: The iPad Fold benefits from everything Apple learns with the iPhone Ultra – from production quality and software optimization to customer feedback.
The road to the first foldable iPad
The iPad Fold remains one of Apple's most exciting projects for the second half of the decade. The latest report highlights two key points. First, Apple is still actively working on it, even though the market launch is significantly later than originally planned. Second, the technical platform is already in place – it will be tested in the market for the first time with the iPhone Ultra in a few months. If the folding mechanism lives up to Apple's promises, the iPad Fold will be the next logical step. If not, the entire foldable project is in serious jeopardy. Fall 2026 will therefore be a pivotal year for a product category that Apple has been planning for years. (Image: Shutterstock / cozzdesign)
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