Apple's Ambitious AR Glasses and Foldable iPad Face Shifting Timelines

Recent reports from **Mark Gurman**, as detailed by **9to5Mac**, offer updates on two highly anticipated, yet perpetually delayed, **Apple** products: AR glasses and a foldable iPad. While a **2028 launch** is reportedly still in play for the AR glasses, a separate, less complex AI smart glasses product is expected to arrive sooner, possibly shipping in **2027**. The foldable iPad, codenamed 'iPad Fold,' faces a more uncertain future, with some sources doubting its eventual release, despite being a stated priority for [[john-ternus|John Ternus]]. The potential success of a rumored foldable [[iphone-16-pro|iPhone Ultra]] this fall could influence the acceleration of the foldable iPad's development.

• Apple's AR glasses are reportedly still targeting a 2028 launch, with simpler AI smart glasses arriving in 2027.
• The foldable iPad, or 'iPad Fold,' faces significant uncertainty, with some sources doubting its eventual release.
• John Ternus has reportedly prioritized the foldable iPad, potentially accelerating its development if a foldable iPhone Ultra is successful.
• The long development cycles highlight Apple's commitment to new product categories, but also the inherent challenges.
• The success of these products could redefine Apple's market position in AR and foldable devices.

Mark Gurman's latest insights suggest a **2028 timeline** for Apple's AR glasses, a date that has been previously reported and remains subject to change. A distinct AI-powered smart glasses product is slated for a **2027** release, indicating a tiered approach to wearable displays. The 'iPad Fold' has seen its launch window repeatedly pushed back, with current speculation placing it around **2028**, though its very existence is questioned by some within the industry. The influence of the [[iphone-16-pro|iPhone Ultra]]'s market reception on the foldable iPad's fate is a key variable to monitor.

The continued targeting of a **2028 launch** for [[apple-ar-glasses|Apple AR glasses]] indicates significant, albeit slow, progress in [[augmented-reality|AR]] technology. Breakthroughs in [[artificial-intelligence|AI]] smart glasses, expected to ship in **2027**, could pave the way for more advanced AR capabilities. If the upcoming foldable [[iphone-16-pro|iPhone Ultra]] proves successful, it could indeed spur [[john-ternus|John Ternus]] to prioritize and expedite the development of the foldable iPad, bringing innovative form factors to the tablet market sooner than anticipated.

The persistent delays and the sheer uncertainty surrounding the 'iPad Fold' raise serious doubts about its viability. If even internal sources question its eventual release, it suggests fundamental technological or market challenges that Apple may not be able to overcome. The **2028 target** for AR glasses, while still on the table, is a distant horizon for a product category that has struggled to gain mainstream traction, and the existence of a simpler AI smart glasses product might indicate a fallback strategy if the full AR vision proves too complex or costly.

Originally reported by 9to5Mac