Apple continues to develop a large foldable iPad , despite the various technical difficulties it has faced so far, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman
In his newsletter, Power On, Gurman says the 'giant' foldable iPad will change Apple's tradition of keeping the Mac and iPad as separate devices. Some have referred to it as a foldable iPad, while others have called it an all-display MacBook, but there are still concerns about its practicality when it comes to typing.
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A report in July of last year claimed that Apple had decided to halt work on a larger-screen foldable iPad due to development issues. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. Apple wanted to release the device in 2028, according to Gurman's previous reports, but issues with weight and display technology will likely delay it until 2029.
Apple foldable iPad: What are we waiting for?
The device is believed to feature an 18-inch display made by Samsung, with Apple focusing on reducing screen “crease.” The company already has experience in this area, having ordered its suppliers to begin production of foldable iPhone , which is expected to be released later this year.
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However, a large foldable OLED display would be much more expensive — the foldable device could be up to three times more expensive than the 13-inch iPad Pro. Apple charges $1,299 for the 13-inch iPad Pro, so if component prices don't drop in the coming years, the foldable iPad could cost as much as $3,900.
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When closed, the iPad resembles a MacBook , with an aluminum exterior and no external display . When opened, it unfolds to about the same size as the 13-inch MacBook Air, but without a physical keyboard . Due to the large screen and aluminum frame, current prototypes weigh about 3.5 pounds, making them significantly heavier than existing iPad Pro models.
