Ming-Chi Kuo said Amazon is working on a large foldable device similar to the Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate

 

According to TF Securities International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Amazon is developing a foldable tablet that might compete with a similar product rumored to be in development by Apple. The announcement comes a day after Huawei launched the MateBook Fold Ultimate, a new gadget with a big 18-inch screen that can be folded in half to make a 13-inch laptop. According to recent claims, Apple is also creating a huge foldable tablet, which might be released in the future years.

Amazon reportedly discussed key suppliers for a large foldable device
In a post on X (previously Twitter), Kuo claims that when Apple debuts its own large-sized foldable in the future, Huawei will not be the sole contender. Citing his research, the analyst claimed that Amazon is developing a comparable device that might be released within the next several years, before Apple's alleged product debuts.

Apple's competitors in the large-sized foldable device market may not be limited to Huawei. My research indicates that Amazon is also internally developing a similar product, which has not yet officially kicked off. If development progresses as planned, it is projected to enter…

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 20, 2025

According to Kuo, Amazon's large-screen foldable is expected to go into commercial production by the end of 2026, or in 2027. This prognosis is dependent on whether Amazon achieves the predicted progress in its development, which the analyst believes has yet to begin.

If these allegations are correct, Amazon might release a new foldable tablet before Apple's anticipated foldable iPad goes into full production. The iPhone manufacturer plans to start commercial manufacturing of its large-size foldable smartphone by the end of 2027, or in 2028.

Counterpoint Research Vice President Ross Young responded to Kuo's article, saying he has been aware of a "foldable Amazon tablet for some time" and that the e-commerce giant has discussed such a device with major suppliers.

Kuo's statement comes a day after Huawei introduced the MateBook Fold Ultimate in China. The company's most recent foldable features a big 18-inch display that folds into the shape of a 13-inch laptop. When stretched, it can function as a large display, but when folded 90 degrees, it can also display a virtual keyboard.

Huawei's foldable laptop runs HarmonyOS PC rather than Windows 11. There is no indication on what Amazon's rumored foldable tablet will come with. The business has previously developed tablets using its in-house Fire OS. According to a recent rumor, Amazon has been working on a new Linux-based Vega TV OS to replace its proprietary Fire OS for smart TVs and streaming devices.