Mikey Campbell
An unconfirmed rumor out of China this week claims Apple plans to debut new iPad Pro and iPad variants in October, both of which will move from single-lens rear cameras to multi-sensor arrays.
Citing a Chinese supply chain source, Mac Otakara on Saturday reports Apple's next-generation iPad Pro could adopt a triple-lens camera array, while a 10.2-inch iPad might benefit from a dual-sensor solution similar to iPhone XS.
Both models are rumored to launch in October, the person said.
AppleInsider was unable to confirm the veracity of Mac Otakara's claims.
The Japanese publication has a decent track record in predicting Apple's hardware moves, often gleaning information from third-party case makers made privy to leaked schematics in the months prior to a major product unveiling.
As for the triple- and dual-lens iPads, Mac Otakara's source said diagrams of related accessories are currently "floating around." Whether the devices in question are official Apple products or third-party add-ons is unknown.
Adopting multi-sensor rear-facing cameras in two new iPads would be an unprecedented move for Apple, as the company has yet to migrate dual-lens shooters to its tablet line despite first integrating the technology in 2016's iPhone 7 Plus. The setup, which incorporates a wide-angle and "telephoto" lens, was later used in 2017's iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, and last year's iPhone XS and XS Max.
In February, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted an iPad mini refresh and said he expected the existing 9.7-inch iPad, last updated in March 2018, to gain a 10.2-inch LCD screen. Apple subsequently released a revamped iPad mini in March alongside a new 10.5-inch iPad Air, the latter of which effectively usurped the second-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro.
Apple's iPad Pro has not been updated since the line received a massive redesign with a full-face display and Face ID in October 2018, while the most recent 9.7-inch iPad variant saw release in March 2018. Both models are due for a refresh.
If today's rumor is true, Apple's iPad Pro and iPad lines will sport camera technology commensurate to that of their iPhone contemporaries for the first time. This year's top-end iPhone, anticipated to launch in September, is widely rumored to benefit from a triple-sensor camera design boasting a new super-wide angle lens.
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42 Comments
What’s the need for this? People don’t take pictures with their iPads
As much as I believe in getting the most for your money and that this is of-course a possibility -- I just dont believe apple is going to pack the same sensors across their iOS/iPad OS devices. It would increase on manufacturing costs -- and with incoming tariffs that apple is already expected to absorb, Im skeptical of this rumor.
If this dual/triple format helps with AR/VR it might make sense, but I don’t think people consider tablets as a go to device for taking photos, so not a big selling point in my book.
That's fair, I could never see myself holding an iPad Pro 11 or 13 for extended periods of time for any AR app tho. #maybeimjustlazy
I don't care what features they add I'll never buy one