Apple is working with suppliers to develop a foldable iPad and could begin small-scale production as early as late 2024, supply chain sources say.
This suggests that Apple may launch the product in late 2024 or early 2025. Analysts say the new iPad marks Apple's foray into foldable design, and the next step could be a foldable iPhone.
Companies like Samsung, Huawei, and Lenovo have launched foldable smartphones and computers, but Apple is yet to take any action. Supply chain sources said Apple has been investing in foldable products for four years and continues to make changes to their design.
According to current information, the company could start mass production as early as the end of 2024, but the design has not been finalized yet.
Sources say the key to developing Apple's first foldable product is the panels and hinges. Korean media reported that the company is in talks with Samsung and LG to provide it with foldable screens.
Although display manufacturers have managed to make wrinkles invisible to consumers through mechanical design, Apple is still concerned about screen wrinkles.
The hinge developed by Apple currently meets all performance requirements, but the company is making changes to make it cheaper and easier to mass produce.
Small-scale production of the foldable iPad could begin as early as late 2024, with mass production starting in 2025 depending on development.
Apple's first foldable product was primarily the iPad, later also incorporated into the foldable iPhone design.
Supply chain sources revealed that the Product Design Department was originally the department responsible for new product development at Apple, but this responsibility has now been transferred to the Purchasing Department and costs have become an important factor.
This change is intended to enable cost-effective production through simplified design, which is the main reason for the continuous evolution of foldable product design.
The company is entering the foldable device market with tablets instead of phones. Since the iPadOS operating system is designed specifically for foldable devices and the tablet market is relatively small compared to the mobile phone market, if there are problems with Apple's first foldable device, it will not have a significant impact on the brand and the company. The damage can easily be controlled.