The problem with Apple's first foldable device is the problem of when, not when. While foldable phones like the OnePlus Open and Galaxy Z Fold5 are mainstream, laptops like the HP Spectre Fold are expensive, but intriguing. So where does Apple fit?

You can be sure that R&D engineers are buried deep in Cupertino to try out a foldable prototype, and rumors are still not sure whether we will arrive first with a foldable "iPhone flip" or a bendable MacBook in the next few years.

Display expert Ross Young this week contradicts previous speculation that Apple's foldable MacBook will feature a 20.25-inch display, and 18.76-year Young says this is for "cost reasons" and the machine will not debut until 2026.

An earlier story of a foldable MacBook from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed it would be the same size as a 13-inch or 14-inch MacBook when folded and would boast a virtual keyboard. Additional rumors claim that it will be powered by Apple's yet-to-be-announced M5 chip - a surprise, surprise - very expensive. Kuo suggests it could land somewhere in the area of £3,499, which presents the price of the Apple Vision Pro.  Interestingly, Kuo seems to think that the MacBook will go into mass production in 2027. If so, you may not be able to see it until that year or 2028. Kuo also adds that Apple is working to make the foldable screen "as wrinkle-free as possible" and believes this is likely to be a pathfinder product for future foldable iPhones or iPads.

It also points out that there's a lot that Apple can do before bending the MacBook line-up in half. There's no MacBook with an OLED display or any model with a touch screen of any form yet. So, as always, I recommend taking these rumors with a pinch of salt. Lemon and tequila are optional. 

On the other hand, if you want to see what Apple is doing with screen and performance improvements, check out our latest iPad Pro review to see what happens when you try to use it as a laptop for 1 week.