The long-awaited foldable iPhone might not be Apple’s only trick. According to industry analyst Jeff Pu, Apple is secretly working on a second foldable device—and this one could be even more exciting. Think big. Literally. Rumor has it, Apple is preparing to launch a massive 18.8-inch foldable gadget, potentially blurring the line between MacBook and iPad.
If true, this could mark Apple’s boldest move yet in the foldable space—and possibly introduce an entirely new category of products.
Two Foldables Are in the Works
Jeff Pu’s recent report reveals that Apple currently has two foldable devices in the pipeline: 
- A foldable iPhone with a 7.8-inch internal screen, designed like a digital book.
- A much larger device with an 18.8-inch foldable display, whose purpose is still a mystery.
Both devices are reportedly moving through the development phase and are expected to enter mass production in Q4 of 2026. If everything goes smoothly, they could hit the shelves by the end of 2026 or early 2027—though the timeline depends heavily on production readiness.
The Big Question: What Exactly Is the 18.8-Inch Foldable?
While the foldable iPhone’s direction seems fairly clear, the larger foldable is stirring up debate in the tech world.
Jeff Pu believes this could be a MacBook–iPad hybrid, featuring a touchscreen and running macOS, Apple’s desktop-class operating system. In his view, the device blends the mobility of an iPad with the productivity of a MacBook.
Famous Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo echoes this, classifying the device under the MacBook family, and suggests it could even reach 19 inches in display size.
Meanwhile, screen industry insider Ross Young also mentioned Apple is prototyping an 18.8-inch foldable laptop—further hinting that this might not just be a big tablet.
iPad or MacBook? It May All Depend on the OS
That’s where things get interesting.
While some analysts call it a MacBook, others—like Mark Gurman and research firm Omdia—believe the device is simply a large-screen iPad. Why the confusion? It all comes down to the operating system.
If the device runs iPadOS, it leans more toward being a supersized iPad. But if Apple loads it with macOS, it would fall into the MacBook category—even if it looks and feels like a tablet.
Adding fuel to the fire, Gurman recently reported that Apple is working on deeper integration between iOS 19 and macOS 16, potentially laying the groundwork for foldable dual-mode devices—or even touchscreen Macs, which Apple has long resisted.
This shift could be the key to merging iPads and Macs into one hybrid, foldable form factor.
Foldable iPhone Is Still on Track
Compared to the mystery surrounding the larger device, the foldable iPhone is easier to decode. It’s expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display with a book-style fold, and this configuration has been echoed by multiple sources, suggesting Apple has largely finalized the design.
If timelines hold, the foldable iPhone could become the first foldable Apple device to hit the market, making it Apple’s big debut in the world of flexible screens.
A New Apple Category May Be Born
So what exactly is this 18.8-inch foldable? A MacBook with touch controls? A tablet with laptop power? Or something entirely new?
Truth is, nobody knows for sure—yet. But one thing’s certain: Apple is getting serious about foldables. And if the OS integration rumors are true, this hybrid device could redefine what we expect from portable Apple tech.
Whether it lands under the iPad label, the MacBook name, or becomes a category of its own, this new foldable might just be the future of computing in Apple’s universe.
