Foldable iPad: News and expected price, release date, specs

Apple fans are excited about the launch of the foldable iPhone, and rumors suggest they may be getting a foldable iPad to match. The iPad is said to feature a large foldable touchscreen that can turn into a 20-inch tablet or monitor. There are reports that this product may even be released earlier than the iPhone.

When will the foldable iPad be released?
There are currently two rumors intertwined: a foldable iPad and a foldable MacBook. They can be the same device or completely separate devices.

That makes sense. You have the smaller iPhone and the larger iPad. Instead of a bigger phone or tablet, why not put macOS on top and call it a MacBook? If Ross Young's foldable/rollable reports are to be believed, here's the idea.

However, it’s unclear if it’s a MacBook. In fact, it might end up being lumped into the tablet category — a foldable iPad running iPadOS.

At the end of 2022, CCS Insight analysis company predicted that Apple may launch a foldable iPad in 2024. So the rumors about a foldable MacBook could be referring to the iPad. FrontPageTech obtained a similar report from The Elec claiming that Apple is developing a 20-inch foldable display. Serial leaker Ming-Chi Kuo floated the same idea in 2023.

However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Ross Young say we may see a foldable MacBook in 2025. There aren't even plans for a foldable iPad yet.

Lifewire release date expected
If it wasn’t clear, we’re assuming for now that some sort of foldable display is coming from Apple. Kuo's 2024 estimate is exactly what we expected, assuming it's a foldable iPad. This timeline makes sense considering the foldable iPhone is said to launch in 2026.

Foldable iPad Price Rumors
It is expected that the 20-inch full-screen touch device will undoubtedly cost thousands of dollars. Since the foldable iPad is an interesting combination of laptop, tablet, and monitor, we can take a look at Apple's other similar products to get an idea of ​​how much this one will cost.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,500, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,100, and the 32-inch Pro Display XDR starts at $5,000. For the sake of math, let's average these three values ​​and bump them up a bit based on their multipurpose properties.

Our guess is between $3,000 and $3,500, but that estimate may change over time as we learn more about how the device works and how other similar products are priced . Asus' Zenbook 17 Fold OLED would be a good reference, but its price is currently unknown.

Pre-order information
As with most devices, the pre-order page will go live on the day of Apple’s event or shortly thereafter. Stay tuned to Apple events to be the first to know about this new product category.

Microsoft may produce a three-screen foldable phone

Foldable iPad features
Young said that the foldable product will have a dual purpose: it can be used as a laptop when folded and unfolded Can be used as a monitor/tablet. This means there will be an on-screen keyboard like all touch devices, but when it's used as a monitor only, you'll be able to connect a keyboard and mouse and use it like any monitor.

The keyboard will likely fit where one would normally use it on a laptop, so it can be used that way when folded; just place it on the lower half of the touchscreen. We think there might also be some kind of stand so you can prop it up like a full monitor and attach a keyboard to it, like you would with an iMac.

All in all, the foldable iPad can be thought of as a three-in-one: monitor, tablet, and computer. Of course, as with any tablet, this could end up being your extra-large e-reader.

Foldable iPad Specs and Hardware
With only one source available for the information, all we know at this stage is that the foldable device will likely have a display of around 20 inches. It's considered a full-screen touch display, which means there's no physical keyboard built-in. The whole thing will be one screen. You can think of it as a giant tablet, like the Zenbook 17 Fold that Asus showed off at CES 2022.

For Asus devices, the keyboard can be placed between the screens when folded. Apple may borrow this technology to have a place to store the keyboard when traveling.

No doubt it will come with all the typical ports you would expect on an Apple laptop such as Thunderbolt, HDMI, headphone jack, etc. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support are obvious, and there might even be a cellular model. Possibly 1-2 TB of storage.

Concept designer Antonio De Rosa named their vision for the foldable MacBook Folio. Watch this video for some neat ideas on how to do this.

The Latest News About Foldable iPad
You can get more laptop news from Lifewire. Here are the current rumors and other news reports about the foldable iPad:

Will future iPads fold? There are rumors that this is a good possibility
Apple expands on possible future glass-body MacBook, equipped with reconfigurable UI, reverse charging area
Apple is developing a 20-inch screen removable Folding phones
Apple’s laptop lineup may finally make sense

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