Amazon is tightening its grip on the future of hardware, cutting back in some areas while making bold moves in others. The tech giant recently laid off around 100 employees from its Devices and Services division, with teams working on Alexa and Kindle among those affected. Yet despite these cutbacks, Amazon is reportedly developing a foldable laptop that could challenge future devices from Apple and Huawei.
The layoffs, announced earlier this month, are part of what Amazon calls an effort to “better align with our product roadmap.” A spokesperson noted that the decision was difficult but necessary as the company looks to improve the efficiency of its internal teams. While Amazon’s hardware efforts have yielded hits like the Echo speaker and Kindle lineup, many of its devices have struggled to gain lasting traction in an increasingly competitive market.
Still, Amazon appears far from retreating from hardware. Multiple sources—including well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo—say the company is working on a large-screen foldable device that may enter mass production by late 2026 or early 2027. If accurate, Amazon could beat Apple to market with a foldable tablet-laptop hybrid, as Apple’s comparable device isn’t expected to enter mass production until 2027 or later.
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
The rumored Amazon foldable would feature an expansive 18-inch display that folds down to a compact 13-inch form factor, mimicking the design of Huawei’s recently launched MateBook Fold Ultimate. The device is expected to serve both as a productivity machine and a media-focused tablet, though Amazon has yet to confirm any specifications or software details.
As for the OS, Amazon has a track record of avoiding mainstream platforms like Android and Windows. Past devices have relied on their proprietary Fire OS, and recent reports suggest the company is developing a new Linux-based Vega OS for its smart TVs and streaming devices. It’s unclear whether the foldable will run Fire OS, Vega, or something entirely new.
Despite limited success in the broader hardware landscape, Amazon’s continued investments suggest it’s not giving up on creating its own consumer tech footprint. While the company may be trimming down legacy product teams, the leap into foldables signals a strategic pivot toward emerging form factors and future-forward hardware bets.
With the foldable device market heating up, Amazon’s entry could disrupt expectations, especially if it beats Apple to launch. For now, all eyes are on how the company balances its hardware ambitions with a more focused internal strategy.