The much-anticipated foldable MacBook from Apple might not be delivered to the shelves until the latest in 2027 or probably 2028, citing the recent updates from Apple’s well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This delay is majorly caused by a number of technical challenging roadblocks that Apple is reportedly going through for developing this very magnificent device.
Earlier reports came from industry sources like display analyst Ross Young, Haitong analyst Jeff Pu, and Korean outlet The Elec, who similarly hinted at Apple’s scale-up ambitions for an all-display foldable laptop with screen dimensions of between 18.8-inch and 20.2-inch, ushering in a new era of portable computing.
The expectation was that, when folded, it would also entail a full-sized on-screen keyboard, obviously merging the act of typing with the screen. Once unfolded, it would be a medium-size monitor that could double as a large big-screen desktop setup in combination with an external keyboard.
LG display’s role and Kuo’s latest update
Kuo had said in May that LG Display was aiming for the fourth quarter of 2025 to mass-produce these foldable panels for use in a MacBook. On X (formerly Twitter), the analyst now says Apple has canned the 20-inch design in favor of an 18.8-inch display.
Kuo also laid to rest previous rumors that Apple would release a foldable iPad in 2025, saying current supply chain surveys did not have visibility to the product. There’s arguably something being lost in translation here, of course, largely due to the bigger ongoing debate around whether Apple’s foldable should be classified as a MacBook or an iPad.
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Apple’s broader foldable technology exploration
Apple’s foldable technology doesn’t stop at the MacBook. It has been experimenting with different display devices that would be foldable, like a foldable iPad. Though the MacBook can fold in half, so to speak, Apple is really taking things up a notch with an all-display form factor devoid of the traditional keyboard.
Speculation on release timeline
Ross Young previously speculated that Apple could introduce a foldable laptop as early as 2026 or 2027. However, we’ll have to wait and see if Apple classifies this device as part of the MacBook or iPad line, or if it creates an entirely new category.
In May, Jeff Pu claimed that Apple’s first foldable devices could roll off the production lines in volumes in 2025 or 2026. He sees the likelihood that Apple would still release a foldable iPad or MacBook of a larger screen before rolling out the foldable iPhone in late 2026.
Pu initially claimed that production of a 20.3-inch foldable Apple device would start in late 2025 but revised the estimate to the second quarter of 2026 due to display durability concerns. This shift epitomizes Apple’s commitment to getting the foldable design correct before entering the market.
Would you get excited about a foldable MacBook that is all display? Share your thoughts in the comments below!