Apple’s rumored foldable iPad has hit the brakes, and not for just one reason. A new report suggests that the Cupertino giant has paused development on its foldable tablet, likely due to manufacturing hurdles, questionable market demand, and pricing concerns.
While Apple continues to explore foldable technology, the foldable iPad may not be ready for primetime anytime soon.
According to DigiTimes, Apple was experimenting with early prototypes featuring a book-style design, a titanium alloy frame, and premium specs like 48MP cameras and a 14.1:10 aspect ratio. But even with impressive internals, the external design posed a challenge – especially the dreaded crease that comes with foldable displays. For a company obsessed with sleek design, visible folds are a dealbreaker unless solved with costly treatments, like chemically strengthened cover glass.
On top of that, foldables come with steep production costs. The complex hinge mechanisms, flexible OLEDs, and added durability layers balloon the price – and Apple isn’t exactly known for going cheap. Analyst Ross Young highlighted that even the foldable iPhone would require expensive display enhancements to meet Apple’s aesthetic standards. Multiply that challenge for a larger iPad screen, and it’s clear why this project may be on ice.
There’s also the market reality: the tablet space isn’t booming. Apple still dominates in global tablet share, pulling in $6.4 billion in Q2 2025, but sales are stagnating. Tablets have become long-term devices with fewer compelling reasons to upgrade. Add a foldable into that mix – with a price tag potentially exceeding $2,000 – and it becomes a hard sell.
While a foldable iPad would undoubtedly generate buzz, Apple may be waiting for better tech, better margins, or simply better timing. For now, traditional iPads are here to stay – and foldables remain a future fantasy.