Beyond the long-rumored foldable iPhone, Apple is reportedly developing a second foldable device - this one significantly larger, with a screen size of up to 19 inches.

In a new report exploring Apple’s post-tariff strategies, Jeff Pu, an analyst at investment firm GF Securities, revealed that both 18.8-inch and 7.8-inch foldable devices are progressing in development and are expected to enter mass production in Q4 2026.

Pu had previously mentioned this in a report last month, noting that Apple’s first two foldable devices had entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn. Depending on when mass production begins in the second half of 2026, these devices could launch as early as late 2026 or sometime in 2027.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple is working on a foldable iPad with a 20-inch display, potentially debuting in 2028. In contrast, analyst Ross Young predicts that a foldable tablet-style device could arrive as soon as 2026 or 2027.

Despite these timelines, there remains no clear consensus on when exactly Apple will unveil its large foldable - or what kind of product it will be.

Jeff Pu suggests that the device in development will be a hybrid between a MacBook and an iPad, featuring a touch screen and running macOS. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also described the foldable as a MacBook, while Ross Young referred to it as a laptop with an 18.8-inch foldable display.

The Wall Street Journal reported in December 2024 that Apple was working on a 19-inch foldable MacBook. However, Mark Gurman and the research firm Omdia both referred to the foldable as an iPad.

Ultimately, whether the device falls under the iPad or Mac lineup will depend on the operating system Apple chooses. If it runs macOS, it will likely be considered a Mac. If it runs iPadOS, it will be classified as an iPad.

Gurman added that changes in the design of iOS 19 and macOS 16 aimed at unifying the two platforms could pave the way for foldables and touch-screen Macs - potentially resulting in a true hybrid device.

Details surrounding Apple’s large foldable device remain unclear. This contrasts with the increasing consensus around the smaller, book-style foldable iPhone, which is expected to launch in 2026.

Hai Phong