Apple is reportedly working on a 5G enabled foldable iPad
Everyone speculated foldable devices to be the hot tech trend of 2019. But because of durability issues on Samsung's Galaxy Fold and a mysterious delay of Huawei's Mate X, the tech has failed to make the right impact. However, that hasn't scared off Apple as reports suggest the company is working on a foldable product of its own - a foldable iPad. Here's more.
Apple's first foldable device will be an iPad
The Economic Daily News cites IHS Markit analyst Jeff Lin to claim that Apple is quietly working on a foldable iPad that will feature MacBook sized screen. Clearly, this isn't the first time we have heard speculations about an Apple-made foldable, but that the device will be a foldable iPad rather than an iPhone is a new development.
But what kind of folding mechanism will Apple adopt?
According to Lin, the device will feature a display nearly as large as the existing MacBooks. Now, considering the largest iPad Pro features a 12.9-inch screen, a 15- or 16-inch foldable iPad is imaginable. However, what remains unclear is the folding mechanism of the tablet. Will it offer an experience like Mate X and Galaxy Fold? Or will Apple take a different route?
Apple's foldable iPad will also support 5G chip
According to the IHS analyst, the foldable iPad will have the latest A series processor and will also support 5G connectivity for enabling next-generation mobile internet browsing. Moreover, Lin claimed that the foldable iPad would be launched sometime next year. But considering Apple is nowhere close to launching a 5G phone, it's hard to expect a 5G-enabled foldable tablet from Apple in 2020.
Meanwhile, Apple has also patented some foldable iPhone designs
Besides, Apple is also working on a foldable iPhone. Earlier this year, the Cupertino tech giant patented multiple designs for a foldable phone including a vertically folding one like Moto RAZR and a book-shaped device like Royole FlexPai. Further, the company has patented a unique way to prevent a foldable device from cracking up, given durability remains a key concern for the new form-factor.
