Apple could be planning a foldable iPad in the future according to sources along the supply chain.
Per a paywalled preview over at DigiTimes, Apple “is rumored to have been working on foldable smartphones for several years, reportedly is considering extending the effort to the tablet sector,” the preview says, citing sources from the upstream supply chain.
The report corroborates existing rumors of a folding iPad, and back in January, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a foldable iPad would launch in 2024, although Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young said they had not heard anything about such a device at the time. Kuo said the foldable iPad would feature an all-new design and a lightweight and durable carbon fiber kickstand.
Similar to foldable smartphones from companies such as Samsung and Google, a foldable iPad would feature a hinge that would allow the unit to be opened and closed like a book, thereby allowing for a much larger display than existing models when it is unfolded. A foldable iPad would likely be positioned above the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which starts at $1,099.
Apple has yet to release any devices with foldable displays, and it’s rumored that the company is considering all options over the long term, including a foldable iPhone, iPad, and Mac. These devices could still be in the research and development stage, with no set timeline as to when they’ll enter production or be released to the market.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.