Apple, which has avoided making foldable devices until now, may soon enter the foldable market. Previous reports speculated about a foldable iPad rather than a foldable iPhone, but these were mostly guesses by prominent analysts. However, there is now more evidence supporting this claim, as a source has stated that a foldable iPad will enter production next year and might even be available for sale. While Samsung has had a significant advantage in the foldable market for several years, Apple appears to be focusing on a different target audience based on the latest data.
Recently, more smartphone brands have shown interest in making foldable smartphones. Samsung has been the main brand in this category for many years. However, other brands like Motorola, Oppo, and OnePlus have entered the market recently. OnePlus is the only brand to have launched a full-sized premium horizontal foldable phone after Tecno’s Phantom V Fold. According to a report by DigiTimes, Apple is also preparing to launch its first foldable iPad and has lined up suppliers for it.
According to supply chain sources, production of this iPad foldable could start by the end of 2024. Apple wants to join the foldables market, but it hasn’t submitted its design yet. The sources also say that Apple will first try bigger devices like the iPad before using the same technology on iPhones.
The goal for Apple is to make production cost-effective by using a simpler design. They chose the iPad because it has a similar operating system to the iPhone. Also, the iPad is a smaller part of Apple’s revenue compared to the iPhone, so it’s less risky to start with the iPad for the first foldable device.
Meanwhile, a previous report by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that Apple’s foldable iPad would have a carbon-fiber kickstand and would be released in 2024. The new updates support the previous news. Kuo also mentioned in January that Apple would switch to this foldable iPad as the company’s tablet shipments continue to decline (by 10-15 percent) this year.
