Apple’s Foldable iPad Faces Extended Delay to 2029 as Engineering Hurdles Mount

Apple’s Ambitious Foldable iPad Project Hits Significant Roadblocks

Apple’s highly anticipated entry into the large-format foldable device market has encountered substantial engineering challenges, pushing the potential launch of an 18-20 inch foldable iPad to at least 2029. The delay represents a significant setback for what many industry observers considered Apple’s most ambitious hardware project in recent years.

Apple’s Ambitious Foldable iPad Project Hits Significant Roadblocks
Weight and Display Challenges Prove Formidable
Samsung Partnership Continues Amid Technical Hurdles
Broader Foldable Strategy Faces Delays
Revised Product Timeline Takes Shape

The scale of Apple’s foldable ambition cannot be overstated. Creating a reliable 18-20 inch foldable display presents unprecedented engineering challenges that even industry leaders in foldable technology have struggled to overcome. According to Bloomberg sources, Apple’s vision for a “giant foldable screen” has proven more technically demanding than initially anticipated.

Weight and Display Challenges Prove Formidable

Sources familiar with the project indicate that two primary engineering obstacles are driving the extended timeline. First, the device’s weight has emerged as a critical concern, with Apple engineers struggling to balance the structural requirements of a large foldable device with acceptable portability standards. Second, the display technology itself continues to present reliability issues, particularly regarding the visibility of the crease and long-term durability., as earlier coverage

“The challenge isn’t just making it fold,” one industry analyst noted. “It’s making it fold perfectly thousands of times while maintaining the premium feel Apple customers expect.”

Samsung Partnership Continues Amid Technical Hurdles

Despite the delays, Apple remains committed to the project and continues its collaboration with Samsung Display to develop viable solutions. The partnership focuses on creating foldable panels that minimize the crease while ensuring the display can withstand repeated folding without degradation in image quality or touch responsiveness., according to emerging trends

The technical specifications required by Apple reportedly exceed current manufacturing capabilities, requiring fundamental advances in materials science and display engineering. This has led to repeated revisions of both the design and manufacturing processes.

Broader Foldable Strategy Faces Delays

The iPad delay comes amid reports that Apple’s entire foldable strategy is experiencing timeline adjustments. The company’s first foldable iPhone is also facing postponement due to complexities surrounding hinge mechanisms and display reliability. According to industry sources, these parallel delays suggest Apple is taking a cautious approach to ensure its foldable debut meets the company’s exacting quality standards.

Mizuho analysts have noted that Apple has significantly scaled back its initial production targets for foldable display panels, reducing planned output from approximately 13 million units to just 9 million units. This adjustment reflects both the technical challenges and a more measured market entry strategy.

Revised Product Timeline Takes Shape

As Apple recalibrates its product roadmap, the company’s launch schedule for the coming years is becoming clearer. Current projections indicate we’ll see the iPhone 18 Air, 18 Pro, and 18 Pro Max debut in fall 2026, followed by the iPhone 18e and the foldable iPhone in early 2027. The foldable iPad now appears positioned as the culmination of Apple’s foldable ambitions rather than its opening move.

The extended timeline for Apple’s foldable iPad suggests the company is prioritizing perfection over being first to market. While competitors like Samsung, Huawei, and Lenovo have established positions in the foldable market, Apple appears willing to wait until it can deliver what it considers a revolutionary rather than evolutionary product.

Industry watchers suggest that when Apple does eventually enter the foldable space, it will likely introduce significant innovations in both user interface and form factor that could redefine consumer expectations for foldable devices across all categories.