2019 iPad Pro leak hints at triple-lens camera upgrade

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Good job, Tim! The iPhone 11 event got our heads spinning.
The iPhone 11 Pro could get upstaged by a 5G version.
Photo: Apple

This year’s iPad Pro lineup could come with the same triple-lens camera upgrade as iPhone 11 Pro.

A leaked dummy unit clearly reveals a much larger camera module with three lenses for the next iPad Pro. And that’s big for iPad photographers.

Cameras have long been a bit of an afterthought on tablets. Not a lot of people use tablets to take pictures on a regular basis, so manufacturers don’t invest too much in camera performance.

You can take acceptable photos with an iPad. But even the most expensive models lag behind the iPhone in photography. That could change for the iPad Pro this year, however.

iPad Pro in line for huge camera upgrade

An alleged 2019 iPad Pro dummy unit indicates this year’s refresh will bring exactly the same triple-lens camera system as that in iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. This isn’t the first time this rumor has came to light, but the hardware is a new twist.

2019-iPad-Pro-dummy
Our first look at the 2019 iPad Pro?
Photo: Sonny Dickson

Sonny Dickson, who obtained the image from “a source that has repeatedly been reliable about previous iPad hardware,” says the camera will “offer the same benefits” as the newest iPhone.

That system is expected to include Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto lenses. It would be the first time the iPad has shipped with more than one rear-facing camera lens.

Putting more ‘pro’ into iPad Pro

The upgrade would make iPad Pro more of a “pro” machine. It would give it a significantly bigger advantage over its more affordable siblings, like the new 10.2-inch iPad.

“The design is a nod to Apple’s intent to offer pro users of the iPad a device on which they can comfortably shoot and edit 4K quality video all from one device,” Dickson explains.

It would negate the need to pull out your iPhone to take the best possible photos or videos.

iPad Pro refresh expected in October

We should find out more about the 2019 iPad Pro next month. Apple is expected to hold another big keynote to unveil new products that didn’t feature at last week’s iPhone 11 event.

Other upgrades for the device are likely to include the latest A13 Bionic chip and front-facing camera improvements. And perhaps (not probably not) the iPad’s first OLED screen.

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