Apple has reportedly canceled a long-rumored foldable iPad and Mac hybrid device that was once described as a top priority for hardware chief John Ternus. The news comes from a fresh research note detailing Apple’s roadmap for its Mac and iPad lineups in the years ahead.
A Foldable Hybrid Years in the Making
For some time, industry reporting has suggested that the iPhone would be only the first Apple product line to gain foldable display technology. A larger device, measuring roughly 18 to 20 inches and blending the iPad and Mac into a single foldable form factor, was said to have been in development for years.
Early expectations pointed to a possible launch as soon as 2026, before timelines slipped to 2028. The product had drawn attention as a potential showcase for Apple’s ambitions in the foldable space, positioned as an ultra-premium, category-defining device.
From ‘Ternus Priority’ to Cancellation
Earlier reporting characterized the roughly 20-inch foldable as a John Ternus priority, while also raising doubts about whether it would ever ship. That coverage described the effort as a possible experiment that might not reach consumers, citing several people who had worked on the project.
Those doubts now appear to have been well founded. The latest research note states that product plans for foldable MacBooks in the 16.1-inch to 18-inch range have been canceled. Based on prior descriptions, this lines up with the same hybrid device previously reported by multiple sources.
What May Have Changed Apple’s Calculus
Several factors could explain the decision. Apple may be taking a wait-and-see approach, gauging consumer reception to its foldable iPhone Ultra before committing to a larger foldable. Strong demand for that device could push development of the iPad and MacBook hybrid forward again.
Cost pressures may also be at play. An ongoing memory crisis has already driven product pricing significantly higher, which could complicate any path to market for an ultra-premium foldable that would carry a steep price tag.
For now, the research note indicates that plans for a foldable MacBook in the 16.1-inch to 18-inch range have been shelved.
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Image: 9to5mac.com
