The 2020 iPad will resemble a smaller iPad Pro, if leaked schematics of this upcoming computer are accurate. It supposedly will offer narrow screen bezels, Face ID, a USB-C port and other features previously reserved for Apple’s high-end tablets.
Redesigned iPad dumps the screen bezels
The design schematics were given to 91mobiles by an unnamed “trusted source.” They show a device with a 10.84-inch display. That’s an increase from the 10.2-inch one in the current iPad. And it’s not coming out of left field: trusted TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a 10.8-iPad several months ago.
But don’t expect the overall size of the tablet to increase, because Apple is allegedly shrinking the bezels. And that includes removing the Home button. On the current model, the Home button houses a Touch ID sensor. But the new iPad supposedly will employ Apple’s facial-recognition system, Face ID.
The schematics indicate that this model will not have a Lightning port, but will use USB-C instead. That’s a change the iPad Pro series made back in 2018. If true, this device will be able to share Mac cables, and use the wide variety of USB-C hubs available.
Many features are not changing, of course. Like Apple’s current tablet, there’ll be a single rear-facing camera, dual speakers, and a Smart Connector for Apple’s clip-on keyboard.
2020 iPad or iPad Air?
While 91mobiles says the drawings show the 8th-generation iPad, the array of features described seems surprising for a $329 tablet. This leak actually might refer to the next-generation iPad Air instead.
The current version of that model sells for $499, a price that’s a better fit for high-end features like Face ID. Plus, previous unconfirmed reports indicate Apple is prepping a new version of the iPad Air with slimmer bezels. However, the most recent supposed leak included different specs for this tablet, including Touch ID in the power button (and no Face ID).
Whatever the name, this tablet could be unveiled as early as next week.
