Remember the good old days when tablets used to be small and manageable, around the 7-inch size? These days, companies are pushing it even further, but now a new report suggests that Apple could supercharge their iPad. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple’s next big thing could come in the form of a giant foldable iPad.
Not just foldable phones
The report claims that Apple is working on a new iPad. What makes this particular iPad different is that it will adopt a foldable display. Essentially, this tablet is said to be roughly the size of two iPad Pros side-by-side. This would result in a tablet roughly 20-inches in size, which is honestly kind of huge.
At 20-inches, it would make it larger than any of Apple’s MacBook laptops the company has released to date. This is actually not the first time we’re hearing about such a device. An analyst had recently predicted that Apple would release some sort of book-style foldable device.
Another interesting thing about this rumor is that it isn’t the only foldable that Apple is exploring. We had previously heard that Apple was looking into a foldable iPhone. This handset is rumored to launch in 2026, but don’t expect the giant foldable iPad to launch alongside it. The report suggests that it might only arrive in 2028, assuming there are no further delays.
Super expensive
There is a lot of potential for a giant foldable iPad. For starters, the larger display could help with productivity needs. It would also have the potential to act as a laptop replacement, although Apple will definitely need to make improvements to iPadOS for it to be a truly viable alternative to macOS.
The downside to such a large foldable device would be its price. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 are already priced close to the $2,000 mark. So imagine how much it would cost for a tablet that’s roughly close to 20-inches in size. Let’s not forget there’s the “Apple tax” involved as well.
Also, Apple isn’t just content with making a giant foldable. The report claims that Apple is trying to figure out a way to eliminate the crease in the foldable display entirely. That has been one of the technical challenges Apple has reportedly faced over the years. The company seems to be close to achieving its goals, though. Apparently the prototype has a “nearly invisible crease”, but it’s hard to imagine what it looks like without actually seeing it for ourselves.