Apple has reportedly dropped plans for a high-profile foldable device — a Mac/iPad hybrid that was supposedly one of John Ternus’s top priorities, research firm Omdia reveals. This product had been described in earlier reporting as a roughly 16- to 18-inch foldable display device, rumored to arrive as early as 2026 but later pushed to 2028.
What was this canceled device?
The device in question was designed to blur the lines between MacBook and iPad: a large foldable screen targeting productivity in a form factor unlike anything in Apple’s current lineup. Previous leaks painted a picture of ambitions for a single device that adapts to multiple use cases, from tablet to laptop mode. It was once considered a major internal priority under Apple hardware lead John Ternus.
Early reports had suggested a display size in the 18- to 20-inch range. Release timelines floated between 2026 and 2028, with complexity and cost among potential obstacles. Key features rumored included foldable display technology and possibly in-display components. After years of speculation, it now appears that the project has been officially canceled according to Omdia’s latest report on Apple’s upcoming Mac and iPad roadmap.
Why it didn’t make the cut
It’s not yet clear whether technical limitations, production costs, or shifting market strategies led to the cancellation. One theory is that skyrocketing component prices — including for foldable displays and perhaps memory — undermined the project’s viability. Another possibility is that Apple is taking a cautious stance, waiting to see how its foldable iPhone Ultra performs before committing further to more novel form factors.
The idea wasn’t without precedent or support: Apple has a history of pushing up the boundaries in hardware design, and foldables are increasingly seen as the next frontier. But this project’s demise might reflect a gap between ambition and what is practical in terms of cost, supply chain stability, and consumer demand.
With this, rumors of a 16.1- to 18-inch foldable MacBook have been quietly removed from Apple’s roadmap, according to Omdia. It appears Apple has shifted gears toward more immediate priorities rather than taking on what might have been labeled Ultra-premium experimental devices.
This cancellation signals more than just one product being scrapped: it underscores the tension between pushing innovation and maintaining commercial and logistical feasibility.
For users and observers, this means that while Apple might still explore foldable devices, the timeline just got a lot murkier. Future efforts may target smaller form factors, closer align with existing product categories, or depend heavily on market response to devices like the rumored iPhone Ultra. If those perform strongly, similar foldable hybrid devices might reemerge; if not, Apple may retreat to safer bets.
Why this matters: This canceled project was a bellwether for Apple’s next generation hardware direction. It shows that even internal priorities can shift sharply when costs, engineering risks, or market timing don’t align. While the idea of a foldable Mac/iPad hybrid was exciting, its cancellation suggests Apple is treating such bold ventures as experiments until ecosystems, supply chains, and user demand make them less speculative. Watch for ripple effects on foldable device development, and whether Apple’s roadmap adjusts post-iPhone Ultra reception.
