New Evidence in iOS 12 of Apple's Upcoming iPad With Face ID

Steven Troughton-Smith today shared new evidence in iOS 12 that Apple is close to launching an iPad with Face ID.

The well-known developer discovered an iPad-ready implementation of AvatarKit, the software framework that Apple's Animoji feature relies on.

avatarkit ipad ios 12


Previously, only the iPhone X firmware has included the AvatarKit framework, which requires a TrueDepth camera to perform real-time face tracking, so the fact that Apple has included it in the iOS 12 beta offers another indication that an iPad with similar hardware is just around the corner.

The first hints in iOS 12 that Apple is readying a new-look tablet came in the form of tweaked iPad gestures that are similar to gestures on the iPhone X. These point to next-generation tablets with a notch-style layout with a TrueDepth Camera System and no Home button.

Indeed, rumors suggest Apple is working on a new high-end iPad Pro for release this year that will adopt many of the design elements that the company introduced with the iPhone X.

The device is said to feature slimmer edges, a faster processor, a custom Apple-built GPU, and the all-important TrueDepth camera with support for Face ID facial authentication.

ipadproconcept

iPad Pro concept by Álvaro Pabesio

Taiwanese site Economic Daily News has suggested Apple will introduce an iPad Pro with a display that measures in at approximately 11 inches, which is in line with reports suggesting the device could have slimmer bezels.

The thinking behind this is that a new iPad Pro could include the larger screen size without increasing the physical dimensions of the tablet.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is said to be aiming to introduce the new iPad "a little more than a year" after the last iPad Pro update, suggesting it will see a launch sometime around September of 2018.

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims the iPad Pro will be released sometime in the third quarter of 2018, which also indicates a September launch.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...

Top Rated Comments

recoil80 Avatar
92 months ago
While it makes sense to have FaceID on the iPad I hope they won't design it with the notch. And FaceID ought to work on all orientations since a lot of people use their iPad in landscape mode.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
92 months ago
Once you experience face ID without the home button, it really is a different experience, I’m looking forward to having an all display iPad without the home button. I’m confident Apple will have a method of unlocking the iPad both in landscape and portrait mode.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lambertjohn Avatar
92 months ago
Could care less. My 10.5 Pro is everything I could ask for in an iPad. Fast as hell, lightweight, fabulous screen, great camera, tons of memory, and a fingerprint reader, which I prefer over Face ID. I'll be keeping my 10.5 Pro for many years to come.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BoulderAdonis Avatar
92 months ago
I regret buying the iPhone 10. FaceID alone is a backwards step from a fingerprint scanner. The fingerprint scanner just works more often and in more scenarios than FaceID, period. For non-iPhone 10 users, I can't explain just how annoying and frustrating face ID is to the point that it detracts from the user experience. I really hope they do an under the glass scanner like other manufacturers are doing, as well, but I wont hold my breath.
I don't really care that much about Face ID but I would love an iPad with smaller bezels.
Face ID has been flawless, and a much more natural motion / interface in my experience and honest “opinion”.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NovemberWhiskey Avatar
92 months ago
FaceID is going to be a huge improvement for the iPad. TouchID on the iPad was always clumsy and awkward. The home button was too, but at the time there was no better option.

This version looks like a great one, but every time I get an iPad, I really find it redundant when I have my iPhone and MBP. Since I have the Plus model phone, I find myself browsing on it when I don't want to use the MBP. And I cannot fathom why iPad still does not have all the apps iPhone does. Not just stock Apple apps like calculator, but third party chat apps as well. It really prevents you from using the iPad over the iPhone, and when you are on the iPad, may as well get on the MBP to get the full experience.

Being a sucker tho, I'll prob still buy this version to check it out. It just looks too sleek.

I can't wait until FaceID makes it to the MBP. That will be fantastic.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AgentAnonymous Avatar
92 months ago
Could care less. My 10.5 Pro is everything I could ask for in an iPad. Fast as hell, lightweight, fabulous screen, great camera, tons of memory, and a fingerprint reader, which I prefer over Face ID. I'll be keeping my 10.5 Pro for many years to come.
Who are you trying to convince, us or yourself? Sounds like you're upset that your device is about to become old technology. No real reason to come into this thread and advertise how much you "don't care" (it's quite obvious you do) otherwise.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)