Apple is reportedly working on a 5G enabled foldable iPad
What's the story
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.
New form factor
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.
Fold?
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?
From the grapevine
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.
Future products
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.