Apple’s long-rumored iPad Fold is shaping up to be the company’s most ambitious tablet yet—bigger, pricier, and far later than many expected. While a foldable iPhone is widely tipped to arrive next year, a new report indicates the foldable iPad won’t launch until 2029 at the earliest.
According to the report, Apple is targeting an approximately 18-inch foldable display, creating the largest iPad to date and a device that blurs the line between tablet and laptop. Internally, there’s ongoing debate over whether it ultimately fits the iPad or Mac lineup. When closed, the device is said to resemble a conventional 13-inch laptop, and Apple has reportedly opted not to include a secondary external screen.
Two major engineering challenges are slowing things down. First, weight: Apple’s team is struggling to push the device below 3.5 pounds, a critical threshold for comfort and portability. Second, the display: Apple is working with Samsung Display to develop a panel with an almost invisible crease—an essential quality bar for a premium foldable.
Price could be an even bigger hurdle. Current estimates suggest the iPad Fold might cost roughly three times the 13-inch iPad Pro’s typical price, putting it near $3,900. That would make it Apple’s most expensive tablet by a wide margin.
Competition underscores the pressure. Huawei already sells an 18-inch foldable that weighs about 2.56 pounds and costs the equivalent of under $3,500, highlighting how far Apple may need to go on weight reduction and cost control to be competitive in this category.
What to expect if and when it arrives: an 18-inch foldable screen aimed at minimizing crease visibility, a laptop-like form factor when shut, no secondary display, and a premium build designed to justify a sky-high price. Until then, all eyes will be on Apple’s broader foldable strategy, with a foldable iPhone reportedly set to lead the way while the iPad Fold continues its long development runway.
