20-inch foldable MacBook rumored to launch as soon as 2026

Rumors surrounding a folding Apple product have been circulating since Samsung launched its first foldable. Even as most expect an iPhone Fold sometime in the near future, some rumors suggest Apple is looking to larger folding displays too.

A report from supply chain analysts at The Elec suggests that Apple will produce a foldable with a 20.25-inch display that will fold shut into a 15.3-inch device. This product is expected to be a MacBook Pro, though it wouldn't be ready for release until 2026 or 2027.

Prior to the 20-inch folding MacBook, Apple will work its way up to that product by updating its product lines with similar technology first — at least according to this report. The Elec has shared an entire roadmap from today's LCD products to the foldables of tomorrow.

Folding roadmap

First, Apple will transition the iPad to OLED in 2024, with an 11-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro sporting the technology. LG Display and Samsung Display are allegedly developing OLED for these products.

Then, Apple would release OLED MacBooks in 2025. Later in 2025, Apple would release its first foldable — an iPad mini-sized product. According to The Elec, Apple would never release a folding iPhone since the product has no reason to fold at such a small size.

Then, finally, Apple would have reason, technology, and ability to release its 20.25-inch folding MacBook in 2026 or 2027.

Remain skeptical

The Elec is hit-and-miss when it comes to rumors. It tends to be most accurate when discussing supply chain information but isn't always able to determine product roadmaps.

The large-screen foldable rumor has been shared before by Ross Young at DSCC. However, the rest appears to be speculative at best, and should be treated as such.

Apple develops a lot of products internally that never see the light of day. Even some products make it to prototyping stages, like the mysterious Apple Magic Charger, and are canned at the last second. So, supply chain orders aren't always able to be tied to products that will exist.