Apple is said to be working on a gigantic foldable iPad, which will be as large as two iPad Pros side by side, and could be released in 2028. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple’s foldable device could have a “nearly invisible crease,” differentiating it from other foldables like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Google’s Pixel Fold. However, the size of the device raises questions about its usability and practicality as a handheld device.
This could be Gurman’s intention: Apple creates something like iPadOS or macOS and gets the large display versatile to multitask between them. A hybrid design would best serve this foldable, although the lack of a keyboard in some early reports suggests that is less likely to work as a good desktop replacement, and users may expect this from fans of Apple devices, that is, at least not as clunky as on today’s iPad Pro M4; what the latter lacks to give something to talk about is only iPad.
Foldable technology has been pursued by competitors such as Lenovo, HP, and Asus for years, but neither has managed to get the combination of performance, portability, and price just right. Microsoft’s canceled Courier in 2010 was the first attempt, and later efforts like Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Fold and HP’s Spectre Fold met with mixed reviews for oversized, impractical form factors.
Apple’s rumored foldable iPad could solve these problems by targeting professionals who want a portable desktop experience. Foldables can offer solutions for users who need larger displays that fit into travel bags but with sizes over 18 inches. However, the device has to be lightweight, functional, and compatible with existing Apple ecosystems to succeed.
Gurman also mentioned that in addition to being foldable, Apple could refresh its Magic Mouse so that it can charge while being used. It’s been a long-standing request for the device that remains largely unchanged, although Apple updated it to USB-C recently.
Apple is also working on the AirTag trackers’ improvement. The next generation might include an ultrawide-band chip, which will extend its range and enhance real-time tracking and accessibility. It allows users to locate items with higher accuracy, a problem currently faced by the AirTags.
While Apple’s foldable iPad is years away, its potential to revolutionize the market depends on user-friendly design and seamless integration. Until then, Apple fans can anticipate smaller upgrades like a refreshed Magic Mouse and improved AirTags in the coming year.
