Apple again postponed the release of the foldable iPad due to engineering problems
By ForGeeks The engineering of flexible devices, particularly foldable versions of the iPhone and iPad equipped with elastic screens, continues unabated inside Apple. However, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the firstborn in the form of the foldable iPad will be delayed: instead of plans to release it in 2028, the release is being pushed back to 2029 or later. The obstacle is technical issues related to the size of the device, the specifics of the folding mechanism and the characteristics of the display.
Insiders report that Apple is partnering with Samsung Display to develop an 18.8-inch OLED panel designed to minimize folding visibility. The current foldable iPad prototype, known as the J312, has no external screen and resembles a MacBook when closed. When unfolded, its dimensions are comparable to a 13-inch laptop.
The main difficulty lies in the weight of the device. Existing prototypes reach a weight of about 1.6 kilograms, which is three times the weight of the iPad Pro. Because of the complex design and expensive display, the estimated cost of the new product could reach $3,000 (245,000 rubles), which is almost three times the price of Apple’s current top-of-the-line tablet.
At the same time, the device is expected to cost up to $3,000 ($245,000 rubles).
The foldable iPad is intended to be a game changer for the company’s tablet lineup, which has been on the decline lately. However, given the challenges and high cost, it’s possible that the project will be shut down, much like the Apple Car or a simplified version of the Vision Pro.
