Next‑gen iPad Air and Pro cameras head toward landscape‑friendly design
The upcoming generation of iPad Air is rumored to place its front‑facing camera in the middle of the right edge on the front surface. This repositioning would make landscape use far more practical, especially for video calls and media leaning on the right side. The report, attributed to a leaker active on social networks using the alias ShrimpApplePro, is cited by MacRumors as part of its coverage on the device’s anticipated refresh.
Today’s iPad Air places its front camera at the top of the display, which results in an off‑center placement when the tablet is held in landscape. MacRumors notes that centering the camera along the right edge could boost usability for users who frequently pair the Air with a Magic Keyboard, effectively turning it into a laptop substitute. This adjustment aligns with a broader trend toward more ergonomic camera placement on portable devices used in two‑handed, landscape setups.
Industry insiders do not anticipate major exterior design changes for the new iPad Air beyond camera placement. One source also questions the rumor of a larger 12.9‑inch iPad Air model, but MacRumors reports that several insiders have previously indicated the possibility, including commentary from the same insider community as ShrimpApplePro. The debate around a larger Air model remains unsettled, with no consensus from the broader insider ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the forthcoming iPad Pro is also expected to gain a landscape‑oriented camera capability. Clues surfaced in a data‑mining exercise on a test build of iPadOS 17.4. The tips buried in the setup flow for Face ID hint at a new camera feature designed to work more effectively when the device is held in landscape, reinforcing Apple’s pattern of optimizing hardware for real‑world usage scenarios. This anticipated change underscores the company’s ongoing emphasis on camera versatility across its high‑end tablet lineup.
Apple is widely anticipated to unveil the new iPads toward the end of March or in April, with official announcements likely accompanied by deeper details about availability and configurations. The timing mirrors prior Apple refresh cycles and keeps fans and analysts attentive to the spring release window. In related news, there have been earlier notes about a potential AirPods 4 lineup; insiders have offered clarifying details about those plans as well, though those reports focus on a separate accessory family.
As the release window approaches, observers will be watching not only for camera and display refinements but also for any subtle improvements in processing power, thermals, and accessory compatibility. The evolving expectations around iPad Air and iPad Pro cameras reflect Apple’s broader strategy of making tablet photography and video capture seamlessly useful in everyday tasks, whether for work, study, or creative projects. Final confirmations will come with the official product presentations and subsequent hands‑on reviews from early adopters.