Apple’s Upcoming Foldable iPad: A Dual-Tablet Size Experience Expected to Launch by 2028

The rise of foldable devices has been a gradual one, particularly when compared to the widespread acceptance of traditional ‘candy bar’ shaped smartphones. This slow adoption rate may contribute to Apple’s hesitance in entering the foldable market. However, recent reports indicate that Apple is indeed in the development stages of a foldable iPad, with potential plans for its release as early as 2028. Notably, this innovative tablet is designed to provide users with the expansive display size equivalent to two large-screen tablets arranged side by side when completely unfolded.

Tackling the Design Challenge: Eliminating the Crease

One of the most significant design challenges for Apple with the foldable iPad lies in addressing the prominent crease that often accompanies foldable devices. Acknowledging Apple’s strong emphasis on aesthetic perfection, it is likely that any visible crease would be unacceptable. This has remained a notorious issue for numerous manufacturers in the foldable smartphone segment. However, according to Mark Gurman in his latest ‘Power On’ newsletter, Apple has made promising advancements, with prototypes featuring a crease that is nearly invisible.

“Apple designers are developing something akin to a giant iPad that unfolds into the size of two iPad Pros side-by-side. The Cupertino, California-based company has been honing the product for a couple of years now and is aiming to bring something to market around 2028, I’m told.

Apple’s goal for a foldable device is to avoid the crease that current products have when they’re in the open position. And the company has made progress on this front: Prototypes of this new product within Apple’s industrial design group have a nearly invisible crease. But it’s too early to tell if Apple will can get rid of it altogether. Samsung Electronics Co., which launched its first foldable phone five years ago, has tried unsuccessfully to remove the crease.”

With the anticipated launch of the foldable iPad still several years away, Apple is well-positioned to explore design solutions that could fully remove the crease issue. In terms of operating systems, it is likely that the forthcoming device will utilize iPadOS or a variation of it. Gurman suggests that Apple may not introduce a hybrid operating system specifically for the foldable, and by 2028, iPadOS should be capable of supporting most applications available on macOS.

On a related note, there have been previous reports regarding a foldable MacBook, initially envisioned with a 20.25-inch display. However, it appears that Apple has shifted focus, currently aiming to produce a model featuring an 18.8-inch screen instead.

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