The reports behind Apple's foldable plans are not dying, and speculations now attest that they are closer than what the industry has previously revealed to the world.
Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu claims that the first foldable iPhone will be released in 2026, and a 20.3-inch hybrid device that would be a cross between the MacBook and iPad will be released in 2025.
It corroborates the previous reports behind Apple's foldables but claims that these would arrive later than expected, with the first ones not yet arriving until 2026.
Apple Foldables Are Coming: MacBook Hybrid by 2025
(Photo: Sayan Majhi from Unsplash)
This follows up on the reports from renowned analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo, Ross Young of the DSCC, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who discussed this 20.3-inch hybrid.
Pu claimed that Apple's foldables are "increasing visibility" based on supply chain checks.
Considering that it is a hybrid, it would resemble more of a MacBook. Still, it will feature a dual-screen touch-screen display, but it is unknown what else it would feature, especially if it no longer has a physical keyboard and trackpad, among many others.
Read Also: Does Apple Really Need a Foldable iPhone?
Foldable iPhones Will Arrive by 2026
On the other hand, Apple will also treat iPhones as foldable, similar to its rivals, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and more, who have their own flagship folding smartphones.
There are two speculated sizes for the iPhone's foldable change, including a 7.9-inch variant and an 8.3-inch version.
Pu believed that Apple would release the folding iPhones in late 2026. However, the Cupertino giant has yet to confirm any of these.
Apple Foldable Rumors
To this date, Apple is the only global smartphone brand without a foldable device in its lineup, and despite having many opportunities before, it stuck with flat-screened iPhones.
That being said, various rumors and speculations are behind Apple's current development of prototypes for folding devices, and this is not only for its smartphones.
It was previously revealed that Apple will deliver its first foldable under its iPad lineup, and not the iPhone, offering a larger display and touchscreen panel compared to the flat tablets.
On the other hand, recent reports claimed that Apple's early prototypes of foldable devices did not pass the initial tests, hence the delay.
Despite having no foldable, Apple is getting by and is considering its iPhone, iPad, and MacBook successful in their rights, but the modern foldable trend is still under consideration.
Following up on previous reports, the first foldable from Apple would be in the MacBook and iPad hybrid form factor that would be available in 2025, followed by a folding iPhone by 2026, based on Pu's claims.
Related Article: Apple Moves Vision Pro Engineers to Folding iPhone Project, Prompts Delay to 2027
