iPad Pro Update Expected 'Around March,' but Production Slow to Ramp Up

Rumors have been pointing toward a significant iPad Pro update in the first half of this year, including a new triple-lens rear camera system supporting 3D sensing for immersive augmented reality experiences.

iPad 3cam

MacRumors concept of ‌‌iPad Pro‌‌ with triple-lens rear camera system

In a new paywalled blurb published today, DigiTimes claims that production on the device has already begun with a launch expected "around March," which is Apple's usual timeframe for a spring media event in years that it chooses to hold one. The blurb also says that production has been slow to ramp up following the Lunar New Year holiday, with impacts from the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic presumably also playing a role.

Apple is scheduled to launch its new iPad Pro series around March, with related suppliers already kicking off production for the model ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. However, their output has started growing slowly after the extended Lunar New Year break in China with shipments unlikely to peak until after April, according to industry sources.

It's looking like Apple has a fairly significant slate of products ready for updates, so the company may indeed hold a spring media event this year. In addition to updated ‌iPad Pro‌ models, we're also expecting a new low-cost "iPhone SE 2" or "‌iPhone‌ 9," an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with the improved scissor-switch keyboard from the 16-inch model, and possibly a few other products.

We'll update this article with any additional details once ‌DigiTimes‌ expands its blurb into a full story.

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Top Rated Comments

DEMinSoCAL Avatar
76 months ago
I hope there is more to the new iPad Pro than the triple camera. I literally NEVER use the camera on my current iPad Pro...holding a giant tablet in the air to take a picture, especially when my iPhone 11 Pro Max is always at hand, just seems weird.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cknibbs Avatar
76 months ago
I just want an iPad Pro mini... and by that all I mean is an iPad mini with a full screen and Face ID. I really wish they would update all of them to full screens across all the lines.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fokmik Avatar
76 months ago
Digitimes last month "ipad pro for late 2020"
Digitimes this month "ipad pro for march 2020"
Digitimes....
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NetMage Avatar
76 months ago

Why there is a need for cameras on an ipad? Other than front camera for calls?
Because it can be used as a document scanner. Ever deposit a check by taking a picture of it? Ever store a receipt by taking a picture of it? You can do that with larger documents and see them well on an ipad.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kulfon Avatar
76 months ago
Why there is a need for cameras on an ipad? Other than front camera for calls?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kmoreau48 Avatar
76 months ago

Why there is a need for cameras on an ipad? Other than front camera for calls?
On a construction site, let's say I need to position a crane at a certain position between two buildings and I need to send that information to the engineer. I used to sketch the two buildings with the location of the crane. It is much easier for the engineer to understand if I have my iPad on site, to take a picture of where the crane will be located and then sketch the dimensions directly on that picture.

Another example, if you are renovating your house and want to send the designer a sketch of what you have in mind, you can take a picture with your iPad and annotate directly on it before sending it.

I get that it looks silly to take pictures with an iPad and I would never use the camera on my iPad the way I use the camera on my iPhone, but it definitely has a purpose to be there.

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Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)