The forthcoming iPad Pro is anticipated to debut with a landscape-oriented front-facing camera, marking a notable design shift as disclosed by the reputable Apple leaker, “Instant Digital.”
Instant Digital reaffirmed this alteration today on Weibo, accompanied by a simplistic 2D image. The update elucidates that the entire TrueDepth camera array will relocate to the right side of the device, while the microphone will maintain its position atop the device, now centered.
Currently, both the iPad Air and iPad Pro feature a front-facing camera positioned at the top, which can be inconvenient when the device is utilized in landscape orientation, as with a Magic Keyboard. To address this, Apple purportedly plans to relocate the camera to the side, improving the landscape user experience—a move already implemented in the 10th-generation iPad.
In January, iOS 17.4 code hints at this shift, indicating that the TrueDepth camera array will be repositioned to the side of the device. Specifically, the code mentions the need for the iPad to be in landscape mode with the camera situated at the top during Face ID setup.
Recently, Instant Digital suggested that the transition to a landscape front-facing camera might extend to the next-generation iPad Air. However, the logistical challenges arise as the anticipated camera placement coincides with the inductive magnetic charger for the second-generation Apple Pencil—a feature integral to both the iPad Air and iPad Pro models.
As anticipation mounts, the exact release date for the new iPad remains undisclosed. However, industry speculations suggest that both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models are poised for launch within the upcoming weeks, sparking curiosity among tech enthusiasts about the imminent iPad Pro release.