Unexpected Rumor Could Change iPad Forever

Apple could be planning to switch the iPad to a landscape design, according to a surprising recent report from Mac Otakara.

ipad air touch id feature
The report cited multiple Chinese sources who said that alleged renders of the 10th-generation iPad shared earlier this month do not accurately depict the position of Touch ID or the front-facing FaceTime camera on the device.

The report claimed that the ‌FaceTime‌ camera could be positioned in the right bezel of the device for landscape usage. The report says that Apple's Center Stage feature that helps to keep you centered within the frame during video calls works better when an ‌iPad‌ is placed in landscape orientation, and says that the ‌FaceTime‌ camera's new position in the right bezel would accommodate this usage scenario. This change could have implications for the entire ‌iPad‌ lineup, initiating the transition toward a landscape-first design, in contrast to the portrait-first design that all ‌iPad‌ models to date have centered on.

While the renders showed the ‌iPad‌ with a traditional ‌Touch ID‌ home button in the bottom bezel, the report suggests the device could have a ‌Touch ID‌ power button located on the top edge of the chassis, like the latest iPad Air and iPad mini models.

The report's sources added that the previous renders of the 10th-generation ‌iPad‌ accurately showed the device's overall dimensions. Previous rumors have suggested the 10th-generation ‌iPad‌ will feature a larger 10.5-inch display, a USB-C port, an A14 Bionic chip, 5G support on cellular models, thinner bezels, and flat edges. By comparison, the ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ features a 10.2-inch display and an A13 Bionic chip.

Mass production of the 10th-generation ‌iPad‌ is reportedly underway. Apple is expected to announce the device at an October event, partly because iPadOS 16 has reportedly been delayed until October, although it's worth noting that the ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ was unveiled in September last year alongside the iPhone 13 and a new ‌iPad mini‌.

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...