Leaked images of revamped iPad Pro and iPad mini show few changes
A purported image of forthcoming iPad mini dummy cases shows the same design as the iPad mini 5, while ones for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro appear to feature a reduced camera bump.
Purported leaked iPad Pro and iPad mini dummies
As expectations mount that a new iPad Pro may be revealed soon, a long-time leaker has shown off images of dummy chassis designs. Alongside dummies for both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the images feature what's believed to be the "iPad mini 6."
Leaker Sonny Dickson says that these are dummy units, so there is no display to turn on yet. That makes determining the width of bezels uncertain -- but it appears that both the iPad Pro and iPad mini refreshes feature no marked redesigns.
One potential exception to this is that the two iPad Pro dummies show all the correct ports, except for the Smart Connector. The regular Smart Connector is not visible in the images in its usual place, nor is it reportedly relocated to anywhere else on the chassis. The Magic Keyboard requires this connector, so it seems unlikely to have been stricken from the design.
Other features, such as a Thunderbolt USB-C port versus a USB 3.1 type C port and a faster processor expected for the model are obviously not able to be shown on a dummy likely intended for the case manufacture industry.
Separately, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro dummy does appear to feature a less pronounced rear camera bump, as compared to 11-inch dummy, or the currently shipping models.
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Purported leaked iPad Pro and iPad mini dummies
As expectations mount that a new iPad Pro may be revealed soon, a long-time leaker has shown off images of dummy chassis designs. Alongside dummies for both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the images feature what's believed to be the "iPad mini 6."
Refreshed iPad Pros and iPad Mini dummies. Triple Camera array on the pros. Central camera up top on iPad mini; slightly thicker. Hard to tell and different in screen size. pic.twitter.com/5Luizv1T2r
-- Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson)
Leaker Sonny Dickson says that these are dummy units, so there is no display to turn on yet. That makes determining the width of bezels uncertain -- but it appears that both the iPad Pro and iPad mini refreshes feature no marked redesigns.
One potential exception to this is that the two iPad Pro dummies show all the correct ports, except for the Smart Connector. The regular Smart Connector is not visible in the images in its usual place, nor is it reportedly relocated to anywhere else on the chassis. The Magic Keyboard requires this connector, so it seems unlikely to have been stricken from the design.
Other features, such as a Thunderbolt USB-C port versus a USB 3.1 type C port and a faster processor expected for the model are obviously not able to be shown on a dummy likely intended for the case manufacture industry.
Separately, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro dummy does appear to feature a less pronounced rear camera bump, as compared to 11-inch dummy, or the currently shipping models.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Comments
If true, we won't see a design refresh until probably 2024 ;_;
You will never see it. The iPad mini is a low cost iPad, just like the $329 iPad. It will never look like the Air or Pro.
The one nice benefit of the mini and $329 iPad is the square cornered display, not the ridiculous rounded corners of the Pro and the Air.
Design changes like this always trickle down from the expensive models to the mainstream models. Apple is very predictable in this way.
If you mean Face ID ("it doesn't always work" sounds like a Face ID not FaceTime problem), I literally have zero problems using it in horizontal mode.
Actually, when I use the iPads in landscape, I'm rarely holding them. They're either attached to their keyboard or on a stand. This is the way I see most people using it out and about when in landscape and at my workplace and in my house. I'm sure there are plenty who use it the way you do as well.
Not OP, but I'd guess for one, that the accessories, which are either to prop up the iPad for movie / media consumption or for text input, such as a keyboard, would not be very useful in portrait mode, as it would make the keyboards excessively small to type on and uncomfortable. That was design by necessity, and doesn't show anything about intended use. Plus people are used to laptops and this was at least at some point painted as a laptop alternative.
But that argument doesn't really address the original point of this further up about this being a primarily horizontal device needing a camera in landscape. The person posting had said that the camera should be in the landscape orientation so as not to cover it when holding it in landscape. All of Apple's accessories are not designed to be held while in landscape. They are designed to be set on a surface to keep the iPad in landscape while typing and viewing content that is better seen in landscape. Which means the camera would not be covered in those uses.
And again, since the iPad can be used in any orientation, the camera risks being covered no matter what unless there were two. I don't think it's that hard to hold the iPad in landscape and avoid covering the camera.
But yes, I do agree with you that everyone uses their iPads differently. Mine are almost always in Portrait as that's my preference for a lot of what I do. I use a stand or keyboard accessory when in landscape usually. And when I'm drawing and sketching I really use it in all orientations as I'm turning it constantly. I'm hoping to buy one of those stands that holds iitn like the old iMac G4 but adding screen rotation to the mix.
@Melgross got it wrong on this, which is rare but it happens.