The only folders that make sense are calls. The promise of a large screen that is wide open in the bag is enough that Samsung has almost done well with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Even the apple seems to be looking for a forgettable action. Of course, we all want to see Apple’s take on the iPhone threat. But if the iPhone manufacturer still thinks that they can simplify the iPad Pro Screen in 18 Inches, they should first ask if someone wants to use a pizza box tablet.
Apple has been working on a lot of folding designs for the past few years, at least according to a lot of rumors and a lot of government patents. One of those designs – said to be 18-inch iPads – has reportedly hit SNAG, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The report says that the device was originally slated for a 2028 release, although it could be pushed back all the way to 2029 or later. This catch is because the “engineering challenges” related to making the big screen feel light while providing enough battery life and processing power users tend to expect from the latest iPads.
Apple’s engineers ran into the same problems that many other companies faced in designing large tablets and laptops. The polling ipad will apparently be the same size as an inch macbook air when folded, and will lack an external display. When done, its 18-inch wings would dwarf any other tablet or laptop space. Such a device can also start at $3,000 or more, according to Bloomberg. Based on my previous experience with threatening PCs, I really did not blame apple if it decided to put this project to rest and focus its efforts elsewhere.
First, we need to talk about what it is. These devices use a display layer that’s thinner than you typically find on your average smartphone or tablet. This allows the screen to fold without breaking. Manufacturers like google and samsung, along with many Asian brands, are always working on hinge designs to keep devices stable even after the device has been opened or closed hundreds or thousands of times. If you look at the X-ray of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 when it is broken, you will find that the screen forms an oblong “U” shape, to help protect the most sensitive part of the dust. Even then, the folders are very prone to wear and tear. The only phone revealed to feature an IP68 dust and water resistance rating is the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Nobody wants to use an 18-inch tablet
These problems with the size and thickness of the running screens add up to a lot of what you do. The HP Specter Specter rolls out from 2023 for $5,000 and bills itself as a 3-in-1-1. It was a laptop, tablet, and faux desktop all in one. It was the worst way to use any of those. When expanded, this device is a large 17-inch tablet running on a low-end Intel chip that has led to lag and poor benchmarks. It was too big to hold on well. The only way to use it since the tablet was on the desk with you was to move it without the screen.
Another issue is battery life. HP made new novel things, they woke up the battery so it took one edge of the laptop / tablet / desktop. That left little room for other components to allow the device to perform well. It was the same problem I had with Lenovo’s Thinkpad X1 Fold 16. Even though that screen felt more portable at 16 inches, it didn’t feel anywhere near as powerful as $2,500. Apple has a good track record with its iPad and M4 versions and the new M5 versions both with battery life. But even if it could fix the pain points, such a device would still provide a worse experience than a standard tablet.
Apple can imagine that it will stick a magic keyboard inside the folds to create a sandwich type of iPad. PC makers Lenovo, Asus, and HP have tried that before with mixed success on their foldable laptops. The problem offers any sense of comfort when you lack the Palm Pll you usually have on a laptop. It doesn’t matter what, fad or folding mac will feel like an open bag of smpakises. Just give us that painted OLED MACBook Pro with a touchscreen instead.
