While the iPhone Ultra (iPhone Fold) is nearing its market launch, the significantly larger iPad Fold remains in limbo. According to a new report, the planned 20-inch tablet could even end up as a pure experiment in Apple's labs – without ever going on sale.
Apple's foldable devices have been a constant topic of rumor for years. While the iPhone Fold is now clearly taking shape and is expected to be released as the iPhone Ultra at the end of 2026, the larger foldable project being developed in parallel remains largely unexplored. Mark Gurman has provided an important clue in his latest "Power On" newsletter: The massive foldable iPad with a 20-inch display might remain in Apple's drawers.
The source of this information is noteworthy. According to Gurman, several people close to the project are saying that the planned giant tablet may remain an experimental prototype that never makes it to market. Intriguingly, the project has so far been a personal priority for John Ternus – the designated new Apple CEO, who will take office on September 1, 2026.
Why priorities might shift
This very change from hardware chief to CEO could now plunge the project into crisis. As head of hardware, Ternus was able to push forward personal pet projects – the iPad Fold was reportedly one of them. As CEO, however, he has to manage the entire company, from services and software to finance. Hardware projects will therefore be transferred to Johny Srouji as the new Chief Hardware Officer – who will set his own priorities.
A project like the iPad Fold depends on a strong advocate within the company. If Ternus no longer personally pushes it, it could be quietly shelved. Apple has taken such steps several times before – the discontinued Apple Car and AirPower charging pad demonstrate that even ambitious projects can ultimately be abandoned.
The backstory: postponement after postponement
The iPad Fold has a history of constant delays. Originally, a market launch was planned for 2028. Then rumors surfaced that the release could be pushed back to 2029. Since March 2026, Gurman has been reporting that the giant tablet might not be released at all – and the latest report confirms this line of reasoning.
We already wrote about the uncertain future of the iPad Fold at the beginning of March. The problems were clear even then: design issues, practical implementation questions, and especially the typing experience on a 20-inch foldable device. These are all hurdles that Apple has apparently not yet been able to resolve satisfactorily.
What is technically possible?
The planned iPad Fold should – as far as is known – have the following features:
- Display: 18.8 to 20 inches when unfolded, crease-free folding
- Glass surface: Ultra-thin cover glass instead of plastic, developed by Corning
- Operating system: iPadOS, not a Mac/iPad hybrid
- Price: Positioned significantly above the iPhone Ultra
- Target group: Premium professionals and particularly tech-savvy buyers
The central design idea is a foldable iPad the size of a Mac display – unfolded, it looks roughly like two iPad Pros placed side by side. The device would be most portable when folded. Therefore, its portability depends heavily on the folding mechanism.
The problem: Typing on a giant folding device
A recurring technical issue in reports is: How do you actually type on a 20-inch foldable device? An 18- or 20-inch display that folds in the middle doesn't have a flat typing surface. The obvious solutions would be either a virtual keyboard on one of the two halves – which significantly reduces the usable screen area – or an external keyboard connector – which contradicts the concept of a pure tablet and turns the device into an odd hybrid of tablet and laptop.
The fact that this problem has not yet been convincingly solved is likely one of the main reasons for the delays. A foldable giant tablet where typing capability remains an open issue is not a typical Apple product.
The possible solution: A smaller iPad Fold
Alongside the reports about the giant foldable iPad, other sources had already speculated about a smaller foldable model. This model could replace the iPad mini – with screen sizes between 7 and 8 inches when folded. However, these dimensions are so close to the iPhone Fold specifications that there may have been some confusion. Which foldable format Apple will ultimately choose for an iPad remains to be seen.
What's left for foldable fans?
For Apple fans, the message is clear: those speculating about a foldable iPad shouldn't get their hopes up too soon. The project is in a state that can only be described as "Schrödinger's iPad"—it exists as a prototype, but might just as easily never reach the market.
The iPhone Ultra, on the other hand, is expected to actually be released at the end of 2026. Those interested in foldable Apple devices thus have at least one concrete option – the giant iPad remains a pipe dream for now. How Ternus's strategy as CEO develops will likely be a decisive factor in the future of the iPad Fold. Should he abandon the project, Apple would have quietly buried one of its most ambitious hardware ventures of recent years. (Image: Shutterstock / Sandor Szmutko)
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