Sources in the supply chain for Digitimes revealed that Apple has temporarily suspended the IPAD folding project, which was under development during the last period due to the challenges of production and high cost.
The sources confirmed that the company decided instead to direct its focus towards developing the first iPhone, which recently entered the initial models stage.
Foldable iPad development stopped
Apple was working on a folding device with a large screen, some described as a folded iPad, while others considered it a full screen.
The device was expected to come with an OLED screen of between 18.8 and 20.2 inches with a design that guarantees the screen smoothly and without wrinkles.
However, according to the report, the project faced complex technical challenges, most notably the difficulty of manufacturing large OLED screens without wrinkles, in line with Apple’s strict standards for quality.
In addition, the company expressed fear of the weak consumer demand for foldable tablets, especially with its expected high cost and the difficulty of pricing it for the final consumer.
The previous estimates were indicating the launch of the device between 2026 and 2028, but with the temporary stopping of the development, this timeline became a major suspicion.
The foldable iPhone enters the initial model stage
On the other hand, the foldable iPhone project goes on, as the phone entered the P1 from the initial models in June 2025, and it is expected to move to the stage of engineering checking (EVT) by early 2026.
The leaks indicate that the phone will come with a 7.8 -inch folding OLED screen of Samsung manufacturing, and a titneum alloy structure with a liquid metal joint aimed at enhancing durability and providing semi -visible folding for the screen, and the phone also includes a Touch ID sensor built into the frame.
Apple plans to launch the phone in September 2026, at a price ranging from 2100 and 2300 USD, which puts it in the category of luxury devices for users interested in advanced technology.
