Apple is rumored to be working on a groundbreaking 18.8-inch foldable iPad Pro, potentially reshaping the high-end tablet market. Positioned as a direct rival to Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Ultra series, this tablet aims to push boundaries with a massive display and innovative foldable design that eliminates the crease—a common drawback in current foldable devices.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers a generous 14.6-inch display, but Apple’s anticipated jump to an 18.8-inch screen is a bold move. A tablet of that size would likely be cumbersome to handle, effectively functioning as a “portable monitor.” Apple’s solution? Make it foldable, transforming it into a more manageable 9-inch form factor for everyday use.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been testing multiple prototypes and is focused on delivering a seamless foldable experience. Engineers are reportedly obsessed with eliminating the visible crease, a design compromise seen on early foldable devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold series.
Before you get too excited, this cutting-edge iPad is unlikely to hit the market before 2026 or 2027. Its debut may follow Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, which sources suggest will be a “Fold” design (not Flip), targeting Samsung’s full-size foldable smartphones directly.
The foldable iPad Pro could blur the lines between a tablet and a laptop. Apple is reportedly working on a custom version of iPadOS with MacOS-inspired elements, potentially making the device a convertible powerhouse. Whether paired with a detachable keyboard or utilizing its lower half as a virtual keyboard, this hybrid device might deliver unprecedented versatility.
If Apple can achieve a near-invisible crease and integrate its hardware with software innovations, the iPad Pro 18.8 Fold could redefine what’s possible in the tablet category. Until then, we’ll have to wait and see how Apple plans to challenge Samsung and push foldable tech to the next level.