Apple’s 18.8-Inch Rumoured Foldable Device Faces Delay, May Miss 2026 Production Timeline

Highlights

• Apple’s 18.8-inch foldable device is now likely postponed to 2027 due to internal delays, according to analyst Jeff Pu.
• The device may be a MacBook-iPad hybrid with a touch-based screen, but its final identity depends on whether it runs macOS or iPadOS.
• Apple’s foldable iPhone is possibly part of the iPhone 18 lineup and is still expected to launch in late 2026.

Caption – Latest reports hint at possible delays in Apple’s large-screen foldable device. (Image credit – GSMArena)

Apple’s much-anticipated 18.8-inch foldable device was once rumoured to be the company’s first product with a folding screen. However, the device now seems to be facing internal delays that could push its launch well beyond 2026. While recent speculation has centred around a late 2026 or early 2027 debut for Apple’s foldable iPhone, plans for the larger foldable iPad or MacBook-like device appear to have shifted. Here’s what we know.

Delay in Apple’s Large Foldable

A new report from Jeff Pu, lead analyst at GF Securities and known for his Apple-related insights, suggests that Apple has internally delayed its 18.8-inch foldable product. This update comes via a research note tied to Apple’s recent third-quarter earnings.

Pu expressed that he sees “limited innovation” in the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, but noted “intact progress” on the iPhone 18 Fold, still on track for a launch in the second half of 2026.

However, Pu added, “the 18.8-inch foldable device is likely to be postponed.” While no specific reason was cited, it’s now unlikely that the larger foldable will enter mass production in Q4 2026, as previously expected. A 2027 release now seems more plausible.

There’s ongoing debate about what form this larger foldable will ultimately take.

For example, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported on a 20-inch foldable iPad slated for 2028, while analyst Ross Young believes Apple could launch a foldable tablet-style product in 2026 or 2027. The exact nature of the device, whether it’s an iPad or Mac, remains unclear.

Pu suggests the foldable device may be a MacBook-iPad hybrid featuring a touch-based screen and support for macOS. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has similarly described it as a MacBook, while Ross Young has mentioned an 18.8-inch foldable notebook. In December, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was developing a 19-inch MacBook with a foldable display.

Conversely, both Gurman and research firm Omdia have referred to it as an iPad. The final identity of the device may ultimately depend on the operating system it uses, macOS would place it in the Mac category, while iPadOS would make it part of the iPad lineup.

Gurman has also suggested that Apple’s recent design changes in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, aimed at aligning both platforms more closely, could pave the way for foldable devices and touchscreen Macs, supporting the possibility of a hybrid form factor.

For now, Apple’s foldable iPhone continues to build with signs pointing to a 2026 release, while the larger Apple foldable device remains uncertain.

FAQS

Q1. Why has Apple’s 18.8-inch foldable device been delayed?

Answer. Apple’s 18.8-inch foldable device has reportedly faced internal delays, making a 2026 launch unlikely. Analyst Jeff Pu suggests it may now be postponed to 2027, though no specific reason for the delay was cited.

Q2. What form will Apple’s larger foldable device take?

Answer. The exact form is still uncertain. It could be a MacBook-iPad hybrid with a touch-based screen, depending on whether it runs macOS or iPadOS. Analysts are split, with some calling it a foldable notebook and others referring to it as a foldable iPad.

Q3. Is Apple still planning to release a foldable iPhone?

Answer. Yes, Apple’s foldable iPhone, possibly part of the iPhone 18 lineup, is still expected to launch in the second half of 2026, with development reportedly progressing intact.

Related Links –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/apple-product-roadmap-future-releases/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/samsung-to-supply-crease-free-display-for-apples-foldable-iphone-expected-in-2026/