IPhone Fold May Be Present In 2026, But The IPad Fold Is Still Doubtful

JAKARTA - Rumors about Apple's foldable device are sticking out again. Analyst Jeff Pu claims that Apple will launch two 7.8-inch foldable iPhone Fold devices and an 18.8-inch iPad Fold with a mass production schedule in the fourth quarter of 2026. If the schedule is accurate, the launch could have taken place before the end of that year.

Pu said that the two devices had entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) stage since March 2025, which is the initial part of the production process. Even since August 2024, he has voiced predictions that both devices will be present in the second half of 2026.

However, claims about the iPad Fold still raise doubt. Although the iPhone Fold rumors are heavily supported by well-known analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman, who also expect releases by the end of 2026, the schedule for the iPad Fold contradicts the predictions of many other parties.

Kuo in March 2024 estimated that Apple's large-screened foldable device will come as early as 2027. Likewise, Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants, who stated in December 2024 that the iPad Pro with a folding screen will not be released before 2027. Even Gurman himself mentioned that the iPad Fold is likely to launch in 2028.

Significant screen size differences are one of the main challenges in bringing the iPad Fold earlier. Bigger folding screens certainly require a more complex and mature technology development. Therefore, many people view that Jeff Pu's claims about the iPad Fold released in 2026 are too aggressive and less realistic.

Even so, there is no doubt that Apple is seriously working on foldable device technology. However, if you look at Jeff Pu's track record, which often gives a release schedule that is too optimistic and has not been proven to be exact, many analysts think that the prediction of the release of the iPad Fold in 2026 is questionable.

Meanwhile, the iPhone Fold appears to be the most powerful candidate to be Apple's first foldable device to actually be on the market, most likely by the end of 2026.