The last time Apple updated the standard iPad, in fall 2022, one of the most interesting innovations was a design change that moved the front camera from the short edge (the “top” when the iPad is held in the traditional way). or portrait orientation) on one of the long edges. This makes a lot more sense if, as is the case for most tablet owners, you primarily use your front-facing camera for video chats.
But what’s strange about this lateral thinking is that it only applied to the standard 10th generation iPad, and not the much more expensive iPad Pro models that launched at the same time. This decision has never been explained: Does Apple imagine that Pro owners are too busy working to have FaceTime conversations?
In the current long wait for the next iPad, opinions differ as to whether the long-edged camera has proven successful and whether Apple intends to apply the same design to other models. Indeed, earlier this week we reported on leaked CAD renders that seemed to indicate that the company’s upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air would have the front camera on the short edge. It appears that high-spending customers will continue to miss the sensible new design.
But maybe not. Posting to Twitter/X on Thursday, MacRumors writer Steve Moser reported that he spotted a snippet of code in the first beta of iOS 17.4 that hints at the arrival of new iPads with configurations of horizontal camera. The key line says: “When setting up Face ID, iPad should be in landscape mode with the camera at the top of the screen. »
It’s worth noting that there are plenty of other interesting tidbits in Moser’s analysis of the beta, which you can read on Twitter:
Moser thinks that even though the code just says “iPad,” it’s more likely that it’s a reference to a new iPad Pro coming out in March. Which means Apple could still consider releasing an iPad Air with a vertical camera, while carrying over the horizontal design to the Pro line. This wouldn’t make much sense, but it’s technically possible.
One possible reason Apple has been reluctant so far to move the camera to non-standard iPads is the complicating factor of the Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically to high-end models along the same long edge and creates a likely conflict with the location of the charging coil and camera components. It’s unclear whether Apple’s intentions for the camera indicate a parallel change in how the Apple Pencil is charged, but it would be deeply annoying if the company released yet another Pencil and further confused the things.
