Apple’s Ultra branding might be expanding in the next few months, but the iPad could be the one product that will probably be left behind. In all fairness, this has more to do with the iPad’s current problem than Apple’s future hardware plans.
Apple’s Ultra Push Could Skip The iPad For A Very Obvious Reason
A leaker who goes by the name of Instant Digital on Weibo claims that Apple has likely abandoned plans for a foldable “iPad Ultra,” as it is not currently part of Apple’s rumored Ultra device roadmap. The leaker pointed to weak iPad Pro performance as the main reason, which makes this more than just another canceled product rumor.
What this means is that the company could have just looked at the demand for the iPad Pro and decided not to push the category any higher. The timing is quite interesting as the company is building a cluster of Ultra-branded devices. The Apple Watch Ultra is already out and about, making headlines, alongside the M-series Ultra chips already carrying the name.
Prior reports have pointed to an iPhone Ultra, likely tied to Apple’s first foldable iPhone, along with a MacBook Ultra that could feature an OLED display and support for touchscreen. In this regard, the iPad Pro is in a bit of a weird place at this stage.
A $3,900 iPad Ultra Would Have Been A Hard Sell Even For Apple Fans
The M5 iPad Pro already starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, and yet demand has reportedly been weaker than originally anticipated. Ross Young previously claimed back in October of 2024 that shipment projections were significantly cut from 10 million units to 6.7 million units, with the larger model seeing particularly steep projected declines.
The foldable iPad Ultra would have created a huge pricing problem for Apple. Past reports have claimed that the company explored a 20-inch foldable iPad with a large Samsung-made OLED display, a minimized crease, and a design that could blur the lines between an iPad and a Mac. The prototype units were measured to be around 3.5 pounds, making them heavier than the 14-inch MacBook Pro and thrice as heavy as the 13-inch iPad Pro.
The bigger issue is not the weight, but the price, which could have cost as much as $3,900, putting it close to Huawei’s 18-inch MateBook Fold, which is priced around $3,400. At this point, Apple would not be selling a premium iPad but asking users to pay MacBook money, and then some, for a product that is still classified as a secondary gadget when it comes to productivity.
It remains to be seen if Apple will go ahead with its plans, as the rumors are still young and the final decision rests with the company. Do you think Apple should abandon the iPad Ultra altogether? Let us know in the comments.
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