Apple has long been rumored to be working on two foldable devices, and a new report shares more details on the launch time frames of the devices. While the smaller iPhone Fold remains on track for a 2026 launch, the larger 18.8-inch foldable device envisioned as a MacBook-iPad hybrid is now expected to miss its originally anticipated 2026 production window. This means that the device is now slated to launch in 2027 instead of next year.
Apple’s larger foldable misses its 2026 window as the iPhone Fold stays on track for a launch next year
According to GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors), mass production of Apple's two foldable models had initially been planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, aligning with the expected launch of the iPhone 18 Fold. Pu reports that while the supply chain remains intact for the smaller of the two foldables, the development of the 18.8-inch device has been postponed, which means that it is unlikely to enter mass production in 2026.
At this point, we are not familiar with whether the larger 18.8-inch foldable device is an iPad or a MacBook, but prior reports have suggested that the giant display will run macOS instead of iPadOS, pointing to the latter of the two options. However, the industry also remains divided on the fact that it could be a hybrid of the two devices - basically, macOS with touch controls. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Wall Street Journal refer to the device as a MacBook, but research firm Omdia and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman state that it will be a foldable iPad, launching as late as 2028.
It all boils down to the operating system Apple will decide for the device, for we know that the device will be powered by capable hardware to run either of the two. Mark Gurman has stated in his prior reports that iOS 26's Liquid Glass redesign is a stepping stone towards a foldable and an all-glass experience. Other than this, Pu also believes that the development of the iPhone Fold is progressing smoothly, with the supply chain pointing to a launch slated for next year.
To be fair, the delay of the larger foldable device could be a good sign for Apple, allowing the smaller foldable device to make room and tap the market before the bigger variant makes it out. The design will be pretty straightforward, resembling a MacBook from the outside, but with an option to open the lid 180 degrees for a full-fledged tablet experience. Concrete details remain scarce, so be sure to take the news with a grain of salt.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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