Apple's Foldable iPad Prospects Face New Variables, 20-inch Large Screen Project May Remain in Experimental Stage
Apple has indeed been actively developing a large-sized foldable iPad, described as a foldable tablet equipped with a roughly 20-inch display. However, despite the project's existence, whether it will ultimately be launched as a formal product remains highly uncertain.
Reports indicate that the outside world has consistently focused on Apple's foldable screen product roadmap, particularly the foldable iPhone, which is widely believed to be launched in late 2026. In contrast, this repeatedly rumored foldable iPad, while also under development, appears to have a significantly lower probability of actually reaching the market.
According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman in his latest "Power On" newsletter, this foldable iPad has been secretly developed within Apple and was one of the key projects championed by John Ternus, who is set to succeed Tim Cook as Apple's CEO in September of this year, during his tenure as head of hardware.
However, even though the project was led by the future leader, it doesn't necessarily mean it will be transformed into a product for sale to consumers. Several people involved in the project revealed that the device may ultimately remain in the experimental prototype stage and not be officially released.
The report did not provide a clear reason for why this ultra-large foldable iPad might be abandoned, but speculation suggests it may be related to Ternus's changing role. As he ascends to CEO, he will need to coordinate the entire company's affairs, and the time and energy he can devote to a single hardware project will inevitably decrease.
It is worth noting that rumors surrounding the foldable iPad have repeatedly surfaced in the past. As early as July 2025, there were reports that Apple had paused the project; by October of the same year, Bloomberg reported that the product's release target had been postponed from 2028 to 2029. In March 2026, Gurman further stated that this giant foldable iPad might never see the light of day.
In addition to the challenges of the hardware structure itself, the device also seems to face questions at the level of practical use, such as how users should input operations on such an ultra-large foldable device. For this reason, the project remains in a state of uncertainty, and its ultimate fate may not become clearer until Apple's new management team completes the transition.