The entry of Apple into the foldable devices sector unfolds across two closely connected fronts. While the market’s attention is focused on the imminent autumn launch of the company’s first foldable smartphone, which could debut under the name iPhone Ultra together with the new models iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Cupertino is working in parallel on a tablet with unprecedented dimensions.
According to rumors circulating from the renowned source Digital Chat Station, these two products will share a crucial mechanical element.
iPhone Ultra and the Foldable iPad will have a lot in common
The future foldable iPad will indeed adopt the same hinge designed for the smartphone, a system specifically designed to minimize the visibility of the crease on the screen and to guarantee high mechanical durability over time.
On one hand the smartphone will feature an external display of 5.5 inches and an internal display of 7.8 inches, combined with an ultra-thin profile; on the other hand the tablet will leverage this same underlying technology to support a much larger surface.
Specs in testing phase outline a hybrid product that shortens the traditional distances between the laptop and tablet categories. Current information indicates the integration of an 18-inch OLED display, whose production would be entrusted to Samsung.
When folded, the device visually appears as a normal closed laptop, characterized by an elegant aluminum shell and entirely devoid of any secondary screen on the outer side.
Once opened, its width is approximately that of a 13-inch MacBook Air, but replacing the classic mechanical keyboard with an expansive fully digital surface.
This particular hardware configuration continues to raise some concerns for users accustomed to typing long texts, an ergonomic aspect on which developers are still looking for the most suitable solutions.
Manufacturing challenges and estimated costs
Developing such an architecture carries with it several complexities. Contrary to what was suggested last summer regarding a supposed suspension of work, the more recent reports confirm that the design is proceeding, albeit at a controlled pace.
The initial plans for a 2028 unveiling have almost certainly been postponed to 2029, due to specific criticalities related to weight management and display technologies. The prototypes tested so far, aided by the imposing panel and the robust metal chassis, reach a weight of about 1.5 kg, a value significantly higher than all current iPad Pro versions on the market.
These obstacles are compounded by an inevitably elitist pricing. Considering that traditional flagship models far exceed €1,000, using a foldable OLED panel of such large dimensions will greatly drive up production costs.
Analysts estimate that, without a reduction in component prices along the supply chain in the coming years, the finished device could cost up to €3,500. These estimates explain why the company is taking the necessary time to perfect every single mechanical detail, starting with an impeccably engineered hinge.
