Apple’s foldable device plans remain a mystery, but new reports suggest that the tech giant is considering launching a device with a bendable display that could replace the iPad mini. According to Korean media, Samsung is expected to provide the foldable screen for Apple’s first such device, which could have a size of 7 to 8 inches when unfolded.
The Elec, a Korean publication, claims that Apple is exploring this option as a way to avoid cannibalizing the sales of its other products, such as the iPhone and the larger iPads. Apple is also said to be interested in developing much bigger tablet panels that could reach 20.25 inches when expanded, which could revive interest in its slates.
Apple’s iPad sales have been declining for several years, and the iPad mini has been particularly affected by the competition from larger smartphones and smaller laptops. By introducing a device with a foldable screen that could offer both portability and versatility, Apple could boost the sales of the iPad mini segment and attract attention to the category.
However, the report also notes that Apple has not made a final decision on whether and when to release its first device with a foldable display. Apple is reportedly testing bendable 7- to 8-inch screens from Samsung and LG and is considering launching the device sooner rather than later to compete with Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Huawei, Xiaomi, and other brands that have already released foldable smartphones.
Instead of directly challenging them, however, Apple may opt to release a foldable device that could replace the 8.3-inch iPad mini model first, measure its market success, and then decide how to proceed. The iPhone, which already features an OLED display, is selling very well, while the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad markets are expected to benefit from the switch to OLED panels this year.
Of course, if the iPhone sales suffer a prolonged slump, Apple may change its plans and release a device with a foldable screen earlier, but for now, the supply chain sources indicate that Apple is aiming for a 2026 launch to coincide with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. Apple celebrated the iPhone’s 10th anniversary by introducing the iPhone X with its first OLED display, so a decade later, a device with a foldable screen could be a fitting tribute.