Apple's mysterious folding device

No one knows exactly what kind of large folding device Apple will have. Photo: MacRumors .

In a new research note on possible post-tariff scenarios for Apple, GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu said both the 18.8-inch and 7.8-inch foldable devices are in development and are expected to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Pu mentioned this in the middle of last month, when he announced that Apple’s first two foldable devices had entered the new product introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn. Depending on when mass production begins, the devices could launch late next year or in 2027.

Several other reputable sources, which often refer to Apple products and services, also made their own predictions about this giant folding device.

Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman believes Apple is developing a foldable iPad with a 20-inch display, launching in 2028, while analyst Ross Young expects a foldable tablet-like device to launch in 2026 or 2027.

As such, the release date remains uncertain. Additionally, there are conflicting reports on how the device will fit into Apple’s existing product line. Jeff Pu suggests it will be a MacBook-iPad hybrid with a touchscreen and macOS support.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo calls Apple's large foldable device a MacBook, while Ross Young also believes Apple is developing a laptop with an 18.8-inch foldable display. In December 2024, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Apple is developing a 19-inch MacBook with a foldable display.

On the contrary, Gurman calls Apple's large-screen foldable device an iPad, similar to the prediction of research firm Omdia.

According to MacRumors , whether the large foldable device is an iPad or a Mac will depend on the operating system. If the device runs on macOS, it will be a Mac. Conversely, if it has iPadOS installed from the start, the device will be an iPad.

Gurman claims that the design Apple is implementing in iOS 19 and macOS 16 is aimed at unifying the operating systems, paving the way for foldable devices and touchscreen Macs, so it is not ruled out that this mysterious product is a hybrid device, something that has never been seen before.

Source: https://znews.vn/thiet-bi-gap-bi-an-cua-apple-post1544870.html