A foldable iPhone like the iPhone Flip may be in development, but Apple's next foldable device may be the multi-tablet hybrid iPad.

According to the "Modular multiple display electronic devices" patent filed by Apple with the US Patent Office, the patent shows how two tablets can be joined together using a clever hinge mechanism to form one foldable device. [The patented device is akin to Apple's take on the Microsoft Surface Neo, in which two tablet-like displays are connected by a hinge to form one large display; like the Surface Neo, the patent's concept is likely appear to provide more screen space for productive work on the iPad. The design appears to allow one display to function as a virtual keyboard and transform into a laptop.

However, while the Surface Neo is a single device, this Apple patent suggests that two iPads can be joined together using a hinge accessory to create a modular dual-screen device.

According to the patent, the hinge allows data transfer between the two tablets. This could allow for sharing of hardware resources, potentially resulting in a more powerful overall device.

"In a coupled configuration where the first and second electronic devices are mechanically coupled by a coupling element, the first computing resource is as a primary display where the first display can present visual content according to the first and second computing resources. operable, and the second display is operable as a secondary display capable of providing data for operation of the coupled configuration, and is usable by the second electronic device via the communication path," the patent explains.

With the Magic Keyboard accessory, the iPad Pro 2020 showed that Apple's tablet can be a suitable productivity machine, though not enough to replace a laptop. But it also heralds a future in which the iPad's flexibility and its potential capabilities will continue to expand.