Rumors suggest that Apple is preparing to launch a new iPad in the coming weeks, and it’s the top-of-the-line product in the lineup that’s expected to get some attention. An update to the top iPad lineup has been long overdue, and some new iPad Air tablets are expected to launch alongside the new OLED iPad Pro. There’s a lot to be excited about about both lineups, but a new report adds an interesting new twist, and it’s one you might not have expected.
The twist has to do with the placement of the FaceTime camera that will grace the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models, and there are suggestions that Apple will take design inspiration from the other end of the iPad lineup. If correct, Apple will use the 10th-generation iPad’s FaceTime camera placement as a starting point for its upcoming iPad Air and iPad Pro products.
The placement of the FaceTime camera may not seem very exciting at first. But it’s actually a rather notable aspect of the tablet’s design. Especially at a time when Apple is once again trying to convince potential iPad buyers that the tablet can serve as a laptop replacement. To do so, you’ll need to connect your tablet to a keyboard and trackpad accessory that automatically positions it in landscape orientation. And if people want to make video calls, having the camera on the side of the display isn’t optimal. That’s why Apple might move the camera to the top of the screen in landscape (or portrait) orientation.
FaceTime Operations
The placement of the FaceTime camera has long been a point of contention with people finding that the current configuration doesn’t work properly when making video calls. The person on the other end of the call feels as if the iPad owner is looking to the side. That’s probably because it doesn’t seem to affect laptops that have a camera on top of the display. Because of this, Apple moved the camera from the 10th generation iPad, a decision that received rave reviews. Now, other iPads may have the same opportunity.
This is according to a post by leaker Instant Digital on Chinese social network Weibo, first discovered by MacRumors. According to the report, Apple will switch the FaceTime camera on the iPad Air and iPad Pro to the top of the display when placed in landscape orientation.
But this isn’t the first time we’ve seen hints that something like this could happen. A January report suggested that could happen soon after mention of an iOS 17.4 beta was hinted at.
As for new tablets, the iPad Air is expected to get a refreshed 11-inch model, with a new 12.9-inch iPad Air expected to be added to the mix. Both tablets are likely to use the M2 chip.
The iPad Pro is expected to feature a new OLED display for improved colors and contrast and will likely use either the M2 or M3 chip. 11-inch and 12.9-inch models are expected.
Rumors suggest that all four new tablets will be released in the coming weeks, possibly in March or early April.