According to the latest report, the expensive folding screen MacBook will launch in 2026 with a 20.3-inch or 18.8-inch screen and M5 chip.
Earlier this month, Haitung International Securities analyst Jeff Pu laid out the expected roadmap for Apple devices. He predicts that Apple will produce a 20.3-inch foldable MacBook next year, followed by a foldable iPhone in 2026.
Concept photo of MacBook with folding screen.
About a week later, a source said that Samsung will provide foldable screens to Apple.
Now, TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is considering two different screen sizes for the folding MacBook: 20.25 inches and 18.8 inches. When folded, these two versions will be equivalent to a 14-15 inch laptop and a 13-14 inch laptop.
Unlike previous rumors, LG Display will be the exclusive supplier of folding screens. Not long ago, Samsung caused a delay in providing OLED screens for the new iPad Pro tablet line.
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Mr. Kuo said that folding screen production will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and assembly of foldable MacBooks will begin in the first half of 2026.
Folding MacBook will launch in 2026.
Also according to Mr. Kuo, the folding screen MacBook will be equipped with an M5 chip. However, this chip is not yet officially produced by Apple. Currently, M4 is the latest chip released in Apple's M chip line and is powering the new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro tablets (2024).
According to this analyst, Apple is trying to reduce wrinkles on folding screens. The screen is expected to cost from 600 - 650 USD (from 15.2 - 16.5 million VND) for each unit. Meanwhile, each hinge will cost from 200 - 250 USD (from 5 - 6.3 million VND). However, if yields improve during mass production, the price Apple pays for these parts could drop. LG Display will be Apple's exclusive development partner for the display while Amphenol will produce the hinge.
Based on the cost of the screen and hinge, the foldable MacBook will be quite expensive and the Bill of Materials (BOM) will be close to the BOM for the Vision Pro glasses. It is expected that sales of folding screen MacBooks will surpass Vision Pro with more than 1 million units shipped by 2026.
