In 2026, the word “tablet” no longer implies a single, rigid slab. As display and hinge technologies mature, new form factors – foldable tablets, dual-screen devices and early rollable concepts – are reshaping what mobility and productivity look like.

Lenovo’s Yoga Book 9i, one of the most visible dual-screen designs, set the tone with two 13-inch OLED panels sandwiched in a slim chassis, plus a detachable Bluetooth keyboard and pen. Lenovo+2Amazon Foldable tablets from Samsung and others, along with experimental tri-fold prototypes shown at trade shows, hint at a near-future where screen real estate bends to fit context.

Dual-screen tablets redefine multitasking

The Yoga Book 9i class of devices occupies an interesting hybrid space. With two OLED panels, they can mimic a traditional clamshell laptop, transform into a giant single “canvas” when unfolded flat, or stand in book mode for reading and editing. Lenovo+2Amazon

For tablet users, this solves a longstanding pain point: juggling multiple apps on a single screen. Designers can sketch on one display while referencing mood boards on the other. Analysts can keep dashboards open above while writing commentary below. Software developers can code on one side and test on the other without constant app switching.

The key challenge now is software. Operating systems need to become layout-aware, offering persistent window templates and gestures tailored for dual-surface workflows. App developers must optimize for spanning, drag-and-drop between panes, and pen plus keyboard interactions that feel natural rather than bolted on.

Foldable tablets promise “pocket to desktop” versatility

Foldable phones are already mainstream at the premium end, and 2026 is the moment when foldable tablets begin to follow. By scaling up foldable OLED panels and strengthening hinge mechanisms, OEMs can offer devices that behave like compact notebooks when folded but expand into near-laptop screen sizes when open.

While Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line has led the charge in phones, leaks and concept demos suggest larger, tablet-focused designs with S Pen support, desktop-style taskbars and robust 120 Hz displays are on the roadmap. The Galaxy Tab S11 series, although not foldable, already includes high-refresh Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens and sub-6 5G connectivity, setting expectations for what a “pro” Android tablet must deliver. Android Central

Foldables shine in scenarios where portability and immersive viewing must coexist: field engineers carrying digital blueprints, sales reps sharing decks with clients, or students wanting one device that fits in a small bag but can still display two full-page documents side by side.

Early rollable and tri-fold concepts hint at what’s next

Rollable tablet concepts – where a display scrolls out of a compact housing like a digital map – remain experimental, but 2026 will likely see more advanced demos and limited pilots. Tri-fold prototypes that create three-segment canvases are also appearing in labs, though mass production will depend on yield rates, durability and hinge complexity.

These designs are less about raw specs and more about human factors. How many folding actions can a device survive? How does the UI inform users where to grab and fold? How do accessories like cases and keyboards adapt? The answers will determine whether the next wave of tablets feels like a natural evolution or a novelty.

Enterprise and education: Niche today, strategic tomorrow

Right now, dual-screen and foldable tablets remain premium and somewhat niche, but enterprises and universities are quietly testing them. Dual-screen devices are being evaluated for digital textbooks, where one pane holds the book and the other hosts notes and exercises, and for training environments where learners can keep a virtual instructor on one screen and simulations on the other.

In design studios, foldable tablets are used as mobile mood boards and sketchpads, functionally replacing both sketchbooks and secondary monitors. In financial services and consulting, client-facing foldables make it easier to share visualizations without huddling around a laptop.

As prices fall and software matures, these form factors are poised to spread beyond early adopters, especially if vendors can hit durability targets that satisfy IT departments wary of moving parts.

Closing thoughts and looking forward

By the end of 2026, the definition of a “tablet” will be broader than ever. Dual-screen machines like Lenovo’s Yoga Book 9i show how two OLED panels can unlock new productivity patterns, while foldable tablets aim to compress laptop-scale canvases into bag-friendly footprints. Lenovo+2Amazon

The next few years will determine which form factors stick. If developers embrace multi-pane layouts and vendors solve for durability and price, foldable and dual-screen tablets could become mainstream tools in business, education and creative work. If not, they may remain halo products that push innovation forward indirectly, inspiring better multitasking and pen experiences on more conventional slabs. Either way, the age of the rectangular, single-panel tablet as the only option is ending.

References
Yoga Book 9i (14″ Intel) – Lenovo – https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/yoga/yoga-2-in-1-series/yoga-book-9i-gen-10-14-inch-intel/len101y0054
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i 2-in-1 14″ 2.8K Dual Screen OLED – Best Buy – https://www.bestbuy.com/product/lenovo-yoga-book-9i-2-in-1-14-2-8k-dual-screen-oled-touchscreen-laptop-intel-core-ultra-7-processor-16gb-ram-1tb-ssd-tidal-teal/JJGSHC5C53
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i 2-in-1 Dual Screen OLED – Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Yoga-Screen-Touch-Laptop/dp/B0CKNZJCC3
Does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 support 5G connectivity? – Android Central – https://www.androidcentral.com/tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab/does-galaxy-tab-s11-support-5g
Best 5G tablets in 2024 – Android Police – https://www.androidpolice.com/best-5g-tablets/

Author and Co-Editor:
John Felsen, – Gadgets: Tablets/Notebooks, Montreal, Quebec;
Peter Jonathan Wilcheck, Co-Editor, Miami, Florida.

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