Is Apple’s large-screen folding device an iPad or a Mac? Check out foreign media analysis

[ Gearbest Technology News]According to recent news from multiple parties, Apple is developing a foldable device with a screen size of about 19 inches, but its product form and functional positioning have not yet reached an internal consensus. There are obvious differences between the R&D team regarding whether the device will belong to the iPad series or the Mac product line, and the core of the dispute lies in the operating system selection and hardware design direction.

Gearbestlearned from foreign media that some insiders of Apple said that the device may be a folding screen MacBook without a physical keyboard, running a macOS system; the other party believes that it is closer to the “20-inch folding screen iPad Pro” and is equipped with an iPadOS system. Analysts speculate that Apple may adopt a compromise solution to launch a hybrid device that combines the characteristics of Mac and iPad, but it requires touch-controlled interaction optimization of existing systems. In addition, the interface design updates of iOS 19 and macOS 16 have been revealed to be paving the way for such folding devices, suggesting a trend of system fusion.

Although the R&D process continues to advance, Apple’s first folding screen device is expected to be available as early as 2026. If the development progress is delayed, the release time may be delayed until 2027-2028. According to people familiar with the matter, its pricing may be as high as US$2,300 (approximately RMB 16,600), far exceeding the current iPhone 16 Pro Max model.

In addition to folding screen devices, Apple also plans to make major updates to the iPhone series. It is reported that in the iPhone 17 series originally scheduled to be launched in 2025, the 6.9-inch large-screen version was cancelled due to the risk of easy bending of the body structure, and the ultra-thin “Air” model was launched; the entire series of models will be upgraded to a 24-megapixel front camera to improve image performance. In addition, the Pro Max version may be replaced by Ultra models.

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