Apple is facing challenges in its attempt to revolutionize the iPad with a large foldable screen, which may postpone its launch. The company, based in Cupertino, California, has been developing this device, expected to cost around $3,000, for several years. Initially set for a 2028 release, the debut might now be pushed to 2029 or later due to engineering issues related to weight, features, and display technology.
Apple is collaborating with Samsung Display to create the approximately 18-inch screen, which aims to reduce the crease typically seen in foldable displays. This approach is similar to that of the anticipated foldable iPhone. Unlike the foldable iPhone, the new tablet prototypes, known internally as J312, lack an external display. When closed, the device resembles a Mac laptop with aluminum casing on both sides and, when opened, expands to the size of a 13-inch laptop.
The development of the 18-inch foldable display has been particularly complex and costly, leading to a projected price nearly three times that of a 13-inch iPad Pro. Like the current iPad Pro, the foldable version will utilize organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, offering vibrant graphics and slimmer displays. This foldable iPad initiative is part of Apple’s broader effort to introduce more innovative products, alongside projects like smart glasses and a tabletop robot device.
