Rumors surrounding Apple’s foldable devices have intensified, with analyst Jeff Pu and other industry insiders suggesting the tech giant is preparing not one but two groundbreaking foldable products. Apple has long been known for taking its time entering new markets — often prioritizing refinement over being first — and this latest wave of speculation suggests the company is carefully crafting its debut into the foldable arena.
The first device is rumored to be a foldable iPhone, featuring a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded, putting it in direct competition with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Huawei’s Mate X series. Some reports go even further, suggesting the display could stretch to 8 inches, potentially making it larger than Samsung’s flagship foldable. According to Pu, this device is currently in the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn, Apple’s key manufacturing partner. The NPI phase typically involves finalizing product designs and testing early prototypes to ensure the device meets Apple’s stringent quality and performance standards. The foldable iPhone is expected to enter the prototyping stage by April 2025, with mass production scheduled for the latter half of 2026 — a timeline that reflects Apple’s cautious, methodical approach to product development.
What makes this foldable iPhone particularly intriguing is the potential for a new user experience. Apple could integrate features from both iPhone and iPad ecosystems, creating a hybrid device capable of transforming between smartphone and mini-tablet form factors. This could offer users more screen real estate for gaming, multitasking, and media consumption without sacrificing the portability of a traditional iPhone. Given Apple’s track record with display technology — including innovations like ProMotion and Ceramic Shield — it’s likely this foldable display would be crafted to withstand the wear and tear that’s historically plagued foldable screens from other manufacturers.
The second rumored device is even more ambitious: a MacBook-iPad hybrid with an enormous 18.8-inch foldable OLED display. According to Pu’s report, this device may run macOS instead of iPadOS, which would mark a significant shift in Apple’s approach to hybrid devices. Traditionally, Apple has kept Mac and iPad experiences separate — but a foldable MacBook with touchscreen capabilities could blur those lines entirely. The idea of a device that functions as both a high-powered laptop and an ultra-portable tablet aligns with the growing trend toward flexible, all-in-one devices.
This hybrid’s rumored 18.8-inch size would make it one of the largest foldables on the market, potentially offering a full-size laptop experience when unfolded and a more compact, tablet-like form when folded. It’s easy to imagine Apple engineering this device to support Apple Pencil input and perhaps even a detachable keyboard, making it a versatile tool for creative professionals, students, and power users alike.
The Wall Street Journal recently corroborated Pu’s claims, reporting that Apple is indeed working on two foldable devices — one of which could feature a record-breaking 19-inch display. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman added further weight to these rumors in his latest Power On newsletter, suggesting that Apple’s upcoming software updates — iOS 19 and macOS 16 — are being developed with foldable devices and touchscreen Macs in mind. This hints that Apple isn’t just designing hardware but also reshaping its software ecosystem to ensure a seamless experience across multiple form factors.
If these reports are accurate, Apple’s pivot toward foldables could represent a significant turning point for the company. Apple has resisted touchscreens on MacBooks for years, arguing that macOS is optimized for keyboard and trackpad input. However, the emergence of a foldable, touchscreen-equipped MacBook would mark a major reversal of that philosophy — one that could redefine the Mac lineup altogether.
Although Apple has yet to officially comment on its foldable plans, the company has filed numerous patents in recent years covering foldable display technology, hinge designs, and flexible electronics. One particularly interesting patent describes a self-healing display that could repair minor scratches and dents on its own — an innovation that could address one of the biggest pain points of foldable devices today: durability.
While it’s exciting to imagine what Apple’s foldables might look like, it’s worth keeping expectations in check. Apple is known for scrapping projects that don’t meet its high standards — even late in the development process. Still, the growing number of reports from credible sources suggests that foldable iPhones and MacBooks are more than just a distant possibility.
If Apple succeeds in delivering a foldable iPhone and a MacBook hybrid that combines macOS with a flexible, touchscreen display, it could reshape the foldable market — much like the original iPhone redefined smartphones and the iPad set the standard for tablets. For now, though, we wait — and watch as Apple quietly prepares for what could be its next big leap.
