Apple's 18-Inch Foldable iPad Delayed Until 2029, Could Cost Up to $3,900 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple's 18-Inch Foldable iPad Delayed Until 2029, Could Cost Up to $3,900

Apple's large-screened foldable iPad could be delayed due to development issues, reports Bloomberg. Apple wanted to launch the device in 2028, but problems with weight and display technology may cause it to be pushed back until 2029.

Apple Foldable Thumb
Multiple rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a large foldable device, though information has diverged on whether it will be positioned as an ‌iPad‌ or a Mac. The product is expected to have an 18-inch display created by Samsung, with Apple focusing on minimizing the display crease.

A large foldable OLED display is expensive, and the foldable device could be up to three times as expensive as the 13-inch iPad Pro. Apple charges $1,299 for the 13-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, so if prices doesn't come down for components over the next few years, the foldable ‌iPad‌ could cost as much as $3,900.

When the ‌iPad‌ is closed, it looks like a Mac, with an aluminum shell and no exterior display. When open, it is similar in size to the 13-inch MacBook Air, but there is no physical keyboard. Because of the large screen size and the aluminum chassis, prototypes weigh around 3.5 pounds, making it significantly heavier than the current ‌iPad Pro‌ models.

According to Bloomberg, the foldable ‌iPad‌ is apparently similar in design to the Huawei MateBook Fold, which is an 18-inch foldable tablet priced at $3,400.

huawei matebook fold websiteHuawei's MateBook Fold

Apple's first foldable device, an iPhone, could come out as soon as next year. Multiple rumors have suggested that Apple wants to introduce it as part of the iPhone 18 lineup, though some recent information indicates that it too might be delayed.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Today With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and changes coming with iOS...
deep black iphone 18 pro

Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Sold in U.S. Differs in One Way

Saturday September 12, 2026 3:27 pm PDT by
As noted by Nicolas Lellouche, who writes for the French tech website Numerama, Apple has updated its tech specs pages for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to clarify which models are equipped with its new C2 cellular modem and where. Apple now says the iPhone 18 Pro has a C2 modem worldwide, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the chip in every country except for the U.S. According...

Top Rated Comments

12 months ago

Here we go, another round of sour-grapes driven Apple-bashing from commenters who don't work hard enough to enjoy their innovation.
Such a ridiculous take! Anyone paying $4,000 for a foldable iPad needs a mental evaluation.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MaxVerstappen Avatar
12 months ago
All the folding devices are gimmicks.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacUserFella Avatar
12 months ago
For $3,900, we better get some good use out of it unlike the Vision Pro
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 months ago
DOA. Why would I ever consider this over a MacBook Pro?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 months ago
$4,000 iPad? That's insanity!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stella Avatar
12 months ago
I already have a folding device, it’s called a laptop. Far more versatile than an iPad. It costs about the same too as the predictived iPad price.

iPads have their usages and great hardware , but sadly held back by the software.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors