In brief: According to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s iPad mini refresh is likely to enter mass production in the first quarter of 2024, and a new iPad might not be released in the next 9-12 months. This could lead to a 15 percent year-over-year decline in iPad shipments. However, the analyst is confident that a foldable iPad will be released sometime next year, with a carbon fiber kickstand from Chinese manufacturer Anjie Technology.
Kuo didn’t provide any details regarding Apple’s implementation. Still, it’s plausible that the foldable iPad will be designed with portability, folding down to half the size of a standard iPad. Alternatively, it could take the form of a clamshell, with a screen on top and a virtual keyboard on the bottom. This would make it similar to a laptop, which is already well-established.
The foldable iPad could be a game-changer for Apple, potentially boosting iPad shipments and enhancing its product mix. Although the device won’t be released until 2024 at the earliest, it’s exciting to think about the possibilities it could bring.
Image credit: Robert Nickson
