iOS 11.3 Firmware Subtly Hints at iPad With Face ID

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to release a next-generation iPad Pro this year with slim bezels and Face ID, like the iPhone X, according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg News, and evidence of the tablet may have been uncovered in iOS 11.3.

iPad Pro with Face ID mockup by Carlos Guerra​

iHelpBR editor Filipe Espósito has discovered strings in the first iOS 11.3 beta that refer to a "modern iPad," which is notable since Apple's software engineers referred to the iPhone X as the "modern iPhone" in older firmware, according to both Espósito and developer Guilherme Rambo.

Yep, there's definitely some references to a "Modern iPad" inside iOS 11.3. pic.twitter.com/JHHone2R1D - Filipe Espósito ? (@filipekids) January 25, 2018

While the "modern iPad" strings could be placeholders, as commonly found in Apple's code, the discovery lends credence to rumors of an iPad Pro with Face ID, which would certainly be a logical next step in Apple's product roadmap.

"Modern iPhone" meant iPhone X. "Modern iPad" is probably an iPad with Face ID https://t.co/pbMAMj3QCe - Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) January 25, 2018

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also expects Apple to release a new iPad Pro with Face ID this year, so there is a good chance the rumor is true. Like the iPhone X, the tablet reportedly lacks a Home button, although it will likely still have an LCD instead of OLED display due to supply, cost, and technological constraints.

It's unclear if the iPad Pro will have a notch for the TrueDepth system, as illustrated in the first mockup above, or if the device will have uniformly slim bezels on all four sides with enough room for the Face ID sensors.

iPad Pro with slim bezels rendered by Benjamin Geskin​

Face ID is also expected to be featured on a second-generation 5.8-inch iPhone X, a larger 6.5-inch version dubbed iPhone X Plus, and a new, cheaper 6.1-inch model with an LCD, aluminum frame, and no 3D Touch.

Article Link: iOS 11.3 Firmware Subtly Hints at iPad With Face ID

 

[Anthropogenesis]

As someone that is firmly in the notch-hating group, I hope this doesn't happen to the iPad too. Leave a bit of bezel at the top for the sensors to hide.

 

[pete2106]

I've been thinking about updating my iPad Air 2. Perhaps this is the one.

 

[Tijdelijk]

Another notch

 

[Corrode]

iPad with FaceID is a natural progression, but isn’t an iPad more often a multi-user device? This is where TouchID is handy for having multiple people’s fingerprints verified.

 

[InuNacho]

How are you supposed to hold an iPad that looks like one in the mock-up? You can't hold an iPad like a phone with your fingers wrapped around the sides.

 

[Sheza]

iPad with FaceID is a natural progression, but isn’t an iPad more often a multi-user device? This is where TouchID is handy for having multiple people’s fingerprints verified.

iPad has never been touted Apple has a multi-user device, otherwise we would have such features in software by now.

 

[Appleaker]

Maybe you should make your own mock-up in the future. There is no need for a notch on the new iPad Pros due to the thicker bezel. The idea that Apple will keep the notch for consistency is nonsensical, and having a notch would defeat part of the iPads ‘magic’ which is its ability to be used in any orientation. That’s not to say it won’t happen, but it isn’t necessary and I would call it unlikely.

 

[trekkie604]

Keep the bezels on the ipad so there is 1. a place to hold the ipad all around, 2. no ugly cyclops notch.

 

[HopefulHumanist]

I’m sure this is coming. I don’t think it’ll look like the render though. I suspect it will have the bezel of the 10.5 all the way around. That leaves enough room for the sensors such that there will be no notch. Y’all can quote me on that; I’m that confident.

 

[Baymowe335]

iPad won't have a notch. You heard it here first.

 

[TheAustrianGuy]

Damn. I don't want to have to buy a new iPad, after having bought (and still loving!) last year's 12.9 Pro
But I like the iPhone X so much, a (quasi) bezel-free iPad would probably be too sexy to resist....

 

[DavidLeblond]

I'm willing to bet they'll call it the iPad X.

 

[Böhme417]

Just wait until you can only unlock it in portrait orientation.

 

[macduke]

Surely they could leave a small bit of bezel for the sensors. It would still feel a lot smaller. On the iPhone X, since it's the same portrait UI point width of an iPhone 7, I don't use it in landscape very often unless I'm watching a video where the notch disappears unless I'm zoomed. But on the iPad that would be constantly annoying because you use it in either orientation all the time.

They already have the 9.7" iPad. I think they should just combine the 10.5" and 12.9" models into an 11.5-11.9" model that has the same UI point width as the 12.9" iPad Pro. With the reduced bezels it could be nearly the same physical size as the current 10.5" but with more usable working space. That would help simplify the iPad line which doesn't sell as well as the iPhone line, increasing profit margins.

 

[nol2001]

I hope there is an OLED iPad in 2018

 

[BMcCoy]

So probably best to buy a 10.5 iPad Pro now if you want to keep TouchID on you ipad.

 

[QCassidy352]

Although I prefer Touch ID on a phone, Face ID would be great on a tablet. I quite frequently unlock my phone when not looking at it, but that’s almost never the case for my iPad.

That said, no notch, please. It just looks awful. A small bezel is vastly preferable.

 

[DNichter]

Ah yes, now this is what I am looking forward to. I cannot wait for the iPad X revision. Keep the notch as well.

 

[Xavier]

Yes, please and thank you

 

[AppleMad98004]

Like others have said, that mock up is idiotic. You need a small bezel to hold it with two hands, especially in landscape mode.

FaceID is a sure bet as well as a very, very powerful processor and GPU. This may be the first model Apple markets as a full computer replacement.

 

[cardfan]

I hope there is an OLED iPad in 2018

Yep, otherwise there's no point in upgrading.

 

[Eduardo1971]

Nice mock-up but I sense that the back camera might be upgraded as well.

As someone with a iPhone X-I don’t find the notch distracting.

 

[dlewis23]

How are you supposed to hold an iPad that looks like one in the mock-up? You can't hold an iPad like a phone with your fingers wrapped around the sides.

It has this thing called palm rejection. A iOS device knows when your palm or thumb it just resting on the screen to hold the device and rejects its inputs.

 

[kildraik]

Unless they can figure out multiple orientations with FaceID, it would be ridiculous to deal with that handicap on such a big device. I am all for an iPad with a vast lcd, though.

It will be interesting to see how this would go over. An iPad almost seems perfect for an under- display TouchID application, but we all know when a flagship model gets new authentication technology, it cascades into other products quickly.