Apple has delayed the release of the foldable iPad until at least 2029

Apple has once again delayed the release of its first foldable iPad, now expected no earlier than 2029. According to Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman, the company has encountered a number of technical issues related to the device's weight, hinge mechanism, and the characteristics of its flexible display.

In collaboration with Samsung Display, Apple is developing an 18.8-inch OLED screen designed to minimize creases at the fold line. The prototype tablet, codenamed J312, lacks an external display and resembles a MacBook when folded, but is similar in size to a 13-inch laptop when unfolded.

The main challenge remains the device's weight: current samples weigh approximately 1.6 kilograms—three times more than the iPad Pro. In addition to the device's complex design, the premium display plays a significant role in the price, pushing the estimated price of the foldable iPad to $3,000.

Although the new product is seen as a way to revive interest in Apple's tablet lineup, which has been declining in recent years, the project's fate remains uncertain. If problems and high costs persist, the company may abandon the idea, as it already did with the Apple Car and the stripped-down Vision Pro.