Apple is gearing up for a wave of innovation that could reshape its hardware lineup over the next three years. According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the tech giant is preparing a cheaper, lighter Vision Air headset, its first foldable iPhone, and even a foldable iPad by 2028. For Apple fans and industry watchers, these aren’t just incremental updates—they could mark the start of a new era for the company’s most iconic products.
A Cheaper Vision Pro: Meet the Vision Air
Apple’s Vision Pro, launched last year at a hefty $3,500, was hailed as a leap forward in spatial computing but criticized for its steep price and bulky weight. Enter the rumored Vision Air, expected in 2027. If Kuo’s predictions hold, it could be over 50% cheaper and 40% lighter than the original.
That would put its price below $1,750—closer to a MacBook Air than a luxury experiment—and make it lighter than competitors like the Meta Quest 3 and Sony PlayStation VR2. Apple’s bet? Bring immersive computing to a wider audience without sacrificing its signature premium edge.
The Foldable iPhone: Apple’s Next Milestone
If all goes as planned, the first foldable iPhone will launch in 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 lineup. Apple reportedly has bold ambitions for this device, revising shipment targets upward to as many as 25 million units by 2027. For context, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series currently leads the foldable market, but Apple’s entry could redefine consumer expectations for durability, design, and software integration.
One key technology enabling this shift is Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG), developed with Corning and processed by General Interface Solution (GIS). Unlike standard smartphone glass, UTG requires highly complex treatments, a sign of how technically challenging foldables remain even for Apple.
The Foldable iPad: A Bigger Canvas for 2028
Two years after the foldable iPhone, Apple could extend the design to the iPad. The foldable iPad, expected around 2028, is projected to sell between 500,000 and 1 million units. While that’s modest compared to iPhone sales, the product could open new possibilities for creators, students, and professionals who want portability without losing screen real estate.
Interestingly, GIS will reportedly be the exclusive supplier for the foldable iPad’s glass cover, highlighting Apple’s push to secure tight control over the foldable supply chain.
Why This Matters
Apple’s rumored roadmap signals a strategic pivot: lowering entry costs for spatial computing while taking on the foldable device market more aggressively. This comes at a time when competitors like Samsung, Huawei, and Google are refining foldables and Meta continues to push VR hardware at lower prices.
If Apple succeeds, it could not only mainstream foldables but also bring spatial computing closer to everyday use. And with Apple doubling down on AI development starting in 2026, these devices may be more than just hardware—they could become gateways to a new generation of AI-driven experiences.
The Bottom Line
Kuo’s track record makes these leaks worth paying attention to, but as always with Apple, nothing is certain until it hits the stage. Still, the prospect of a lighter Vision Air, a foldable iPhone, and a foldable iPad paints a clear picture: Apple is preparing to make bold design bets in the second half of this decade.
What do you think? Would you buy a foldable iPhone or a Vision Air headset if Apple can balance price and performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
