Apr 27, 2026 12:08:00

Apple's foldable iPad may end up remaining unreleased.

Rumors suggest that Apple's first foldable iPhone

will be released in September 2026. Rumors about a foldable iPhone and a ' foldable iPad ' have been circulating since around 2023, and it was said that John Turnus, the senior vice president of hardware engineering who was announced to become Apple's new CEO on April 20, 2026, was overseeing the project. However, sources say that the foldable iPad may end up being an experimental prototype and may not actually be released.

New Apple CEO John Ternus' First Major Product Is the Foldable iPhone; Road Map - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-04-26/new-apple-ceo-john-ternus-first-major-product-is-the-foldable-iphone-road-map-mofu521p

Giant folding iPad may remain an unreleased experiment
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/04/26/giant-folding-ipad-may-remain-an-unreleased-experiment

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who is well-versed in Apple's internal affairs, updated his newsletter on April 26, 2026. The article reveals that Turnus, who will succeed Tim Cook as CEO on September 1, 2026, plans to announce Apple's first foldable iPhone shortly after taking office.

Apple CEO Tim Cook steps down to become Chairman of the Board; John Turnus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, appointed as new CEO - GIGAZINE

Furthermore, Gurman stated that Apple plans to enter approximately 10 new product categories within a few years of the CEO change, starting with the foldable iPhone, which Turnus led the development of. During Cook's tenure, only three major categories were introduced: the Apple Watch in 2015, AirPods in 2016, and the Apple Vision Pro in 2024, so if around 10 new products are actually introduced, it would represent a significant overhaul.

New products expected to be released include AI-powered smart home products such as smart home hubs, desktop robots, and security devices, as well as AI-powered wearable devices such as smart glasses and small pendants. In addition, Gurman said that the first high-end MacBook with a touchscreen is scheduled to be released at the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.

On the other hand, a foldable iPad is not included in the new products announced since Turnus became CEO. It is said that a foldable iPad was 'one of the top development priorities' even when Turnus was in charge of hardware.

However, several people involved in the development project for the foldable iPad reportedly told Gurman that 'the foldable iPad may end up being a bizarre experiment that never sees the light of day.'

The cancellation of the foldable iPad has not been officially announced, and Gurman has not elaborated on the reasons for the cancellation in this newsletter. In an article Gurman contributed to Bloomberg in October 2025, he reported that 'the foldable iPad was aiming for a 2028 release, but due to technical challenges related to weight, functionality, and display technology, the release may be delayed until 2029 or later.'

AppleInsider, which covers Apple-related news, states, 'As CEO, Turnus has to manage the entire company, which likely left him with less time to dedicate to hardware projects.'