Apple is reportedly planning to release a 20-inch MacBook with a foldable screen in 2027, according to renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kuo stated that the foldable MacBook is the only Apple product with a clear development schedule, suggesting that a foldable iPhone or iPad may not be in the works for the near future.
"Apple's only foldable product with a clear development schedule is the 20.3-inch MacBook, expected to enter mass production in 2027," Kuo said in his post. He did not provide any additional details about the device's design or specifications.
Kuo's report aligns with previous rumors about Apple's foldable plans. Display industry analyst Ross Young and Korean website The Elec have also mentioned the possibility of a 20-inch foldable MacBook. The Elec's 2022 report suggested that the device would fold shut into a 15.3-inch form factor, similar to existing MacBook display sizes, with the top half serving as a display and the bottom half potentially displaying a software keyboard or other content.
The rumored foldable MacBook would have a screen that measures around 20 inches diagonally when fully expanded, making it significantly larger than Apple's current largest laptop, the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The company previously offered a 17-inch MacBook Pro, which was discontinued in 2012.
Kuo's post also addressed rumors about Apple mass-producing a foldable iPhone or iPad by 2026, stating that they are not accurate. This suggests that Apple's focus for foldable technology is currently on the MacBook rather than its mobile devices.
While Kuo's report provides a tentative timeline for the foldable MacBook's release, other leakers have suggested that Apple's foldable device could arrive as early as 2025. Ross Young echoed this earlier release window, and another report indicated that Samsung had reshuffled its organization to prioritize improving technology for Apple's foldable.
It is important to note that Ming-Chi Kuo tends to use placeholder names when describing future products, so the 20.3-inch folding display device may not ultimately be called a MacBook. It could even be classified as an iPad if it features an all-touch surface.
Despite the varying timelines and form factors suggested by different leaks and rumors, it seems clear that Apple is actively working on folding technology. As one leaker, Revegnus, pointed out in response to Kuo's post, the exact display size might be 20.25 inches rather than 20.3 inches, but the overall concept remains consistent.
The development of a foldable MacBook would mark a significant departure from Apple's current laptop lineup and could potentially open up new possibilities for portable computing. However, as with all rumors and leaks, it is essential to approach this information with a degree of caution until official announcements are made by Apple.
