Quick summary
Apple is reportedly working on a 20.3-inch foldable MacBook, expected to enter mass production in 2027.
This would be Apple's first foldable device and could significantly change the landscape for Macs.
Apple's first foray into folding devices might not be a folding iPhone or folding iPad, but could instead be a folding Mac.
Rumours of a (very specific) 20.3-inch folding device from Apple won't go away, with a notable analyst saying that it will go into production in 2027.
Ming-Chi Kuo has a good reputation when it comes to forecasting future moves from tech brands – especially Apple. Taking to Twitter to update his followers on the situation, Kuo says that the folding MacBook is the "only foldable product with a clear development schedule."
最近我多次被詢問蘋果是否計劃在 2025 年或 2026 年量產可折疊 iPhone 或 iPad。我的最新調查顯示,蘋果目前唯一有明確開發時程的可折疊產品,只有配備約20.3"顯示器、並預計在2027年量產的MacBook。--Recently, I've received many inquiries about whether Apple plans to mass-produce the…March 7, 2024
This isn't the first we've heard about this device. Through 2022 and 2023 there were various rumours about them. Apple wouldn't be the first brand to launch a folding laptop either: we've previously seen the likes of the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold and the HP Spectre Fold, although Apple seems to be thinking bigger than these current devices.
What a folding display means for the Apple MacBook
A folding display makes for a very different device. Rumours suggest that Apple has been looking at a device that has a 20.3-inch display when open, but 15.3-inch when "closed". That means you're getting something with the display size of a regular MacBook expanding to have a display closer to the size of the iMac.
It raises an interesting question about touch, however. Apple has so far avoided moving to touch on the MacBook, saving that for the iPad instead. As iPad and Mac get closer together in terms of intended functions, would this device limit touch, or would it forge a new case for touch across all the Mac models?
The keyboard is likely to be a separate module, just like the HP and Asus versions we've seen, able to be folded into the centre of the device and sitting over the bottom half of the display when using it like a conventional laptop. But you'd need touch to allow the device to function without that additional physical keyboard, which could indicate a change of direction across Apple's MacBook line.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
We're not expecting to hear anything official on this: Apple has just announced the M3 MacBook Air - essentially the same as the previous M2 offering - and Apple's folding Mac is not expected to launch until 2027, so there's plenty of time to wait.
Chris has been writing about consumer tech for over 15 years. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of Pocket-lint, he's covered just about every product launched, witnessed the birth of Android, the evolution of 5G, and the drive towards electric cars. You name it and Chris has written about it, driven it or reviewed it. Now working as a freelance technology expert, Chris' experience sees him covering all aspects of smartphones, smart homes and anything else connected. Chris has been published in titles as diverse as Computer Active and Autocar, and regularly appears on BBC News, BBC Radio, Sky, Monocle and Times Radio. He was once even on The Apprentice... but we don't talk about that.
-
Google Pixel 9a tipped for a camera change you might find surprising
Details on the Google Pixel 9a camera might not be what you expect
By Chris Hall Published
-
Your Google Pixel Tablet just got a neat new trick that transforms it into a smart home hub
This is great news for smart home enthusiasts
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
These dummies allegedly show the iPhone 4 SE – and there's a big surprise
Could Apple be working on two different versions of the iPhone SE 4?
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
I tried the iPhone 16 Pro on safari – now I want one for the huge camera upgrade
The iPhone 16 Pro's zoom boost is a game-changer
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple’s now delivering big discounts on its best iPads
The fastest M1 iPad Pro and Air models are now appearing in the Apple refurb store
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
iPhone 17 Pro and entire iPhone 18 series tipped for a very important upgrade
The next iPhone Pro / Pro Max is expected to boost speeds through extra RAM
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
All-new Apple iPad mini 7 gets a surprise announcement – pre-orders now open
Apple isn't waiting for its next event to give us the news we've been waiting for
By Rik Henderson Published
-
This iPhone SE 4 feature may be missing in action
The iPhone SE 4 may resemble the most recent iPhones, but it looks like it'll be lacking one key feature
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Your iPhone could soon be the perfect partner for sports events, gigs and shows
Digital concert tickets could soon include everything from playlists to the location of your pals
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Apple’s slowing down its schedule for everything other than iPhones, says insider
The iPhone will remain an annual upgrade, but a new report says Apple plans to slow down its release schedule from 2025
By Carrie Marshall Published