Apple delayed foldable display MacBook to 2027-28

Apple has delayed its plans to mass-produce MacBook with a foldable display until 2028. The new speculated date is about 2 years later than the previously reported timeline.

Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the iPhone maker is taking this new approach in order to meet technical aspects and requirements to ensure product quality.

A few months ago, Kuo shared initial details on this rumored product. He said that the LG display will supply panels in two sizes – 20.25 inches and 18.8 inches.

These two panels are based on their concept design and form factor. Hence, these panels will output a screen size of 14-15 inches and 13-14 inches of MacBooks respectively.

In the latest updates, the analyst said that Apple has chosen to go with the 18.8-inch panel and canceled the 20.25-inch option.

Tech Challenge

Foldable displays are still an evolving technology and need to be developed in order to provide a long and stable user experience. For example, its crease is one of its immature traits that is visible in all of the current foldable devices.

Therefore, Apple wants to make a crease-free display to an extent and demands high-specification displays to achieve this aim. On the other hand, the hinge plays a critical role in opening and closing actions.

Therefore, it’s also an important component that needs to be manufactured with high quality to survive for longer use cases. The company is planning to fetch hinge from Amphenol.

Kuo said the development is going in the right direction but the difficulties in achieving quality has increased. Due to technical challenges with display and mechanical components, the assembly mass production has been delayed to the end of 2027 or 2028. This production date was previously expected around the first half of 2026.

It’s anticipated that Apple could opt to launch a foldable iPad prior to this MacBook somewhere next year but Kuo also denied any such possibility.