Next Entry-Level iPad Rumored to Feature Flat Edges, Camera Bump, and More

[MacRumors]

Apple is expected to update its entry-level 10.2-inch iPad later this year and newly leaked renders offer a look at what to expect.

The 10th-generation iPad could feature a design closer to that of the latest iPad mini, with flat edges, a rear camera bump, and more, according to renders of the alleged device obtained by MySmartPrice from a case maker.

The report also reiterates previous rumors about the 10th-generation iPad, including a larger display, a USB-C port, A14 Bionic chip, 5G support, and more.

Based on the renders, the 10th-generation iPad's chassis would have rounded corners, but the display would stick with squared off corners. This less premium design would be suitable for the entry-level iPad, which currently starts at $329. Given the redesign, however, it is possible the 10th-generation iPad will see a slight price increase.

The renders suggest that the 10th-generation iPad will stick with a Touch ID home button and thicker top and bottom bezels surrounding the display, whereas all other iPad models have switched to either Face ID or a Touch ID power button with thinner bezels. A single lens is expected for both the front and rear cameras. It also appears that Apple plans to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack, as it has on other iPhones and iPads.

MySmartPrice claims the rear camera's pill-shaped housing will include an LED flash, but the small hole shown in the renders could be a microphone instead.

Dimensions for the 10th-generation iPad will be 248.62mm (height) x 179.50mm (width) x 6.98mm (depth), according to the report. This would make the 10th-generation iPad slightly wider but slightly thinner than the 9th-generation iPad.

Apple is expected to announce the 10th-generation iPad alongside new iPad Pro models with the M2 chip later this year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release iPadOS 16 to the public in October, so perhaps the 10th-generation iPad and new iPad Pro models will be unveiled in October as well.

Apple released the 9th-generation iPad in September 2021, with key features including a 10.2-inch display, an A13 Bionic chip, an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for the Center Stage feature, True Tone, double the base storage, and more.

Article Link: Next Entry-Level iPad Rumored to Feature Flat Edges, Camera Bump, and More

 

[dantracht]

If true, this is what my venerable air 2 would be retired for.

 

[ericwn]

Looking forward to the launch!

 

[UltimateSyn]

I highly doubt it will have “quad speakers.” Far more likely is for it to have two speakers, each of which has its sound piped through two sets of speaker holes (like the Air).

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Oh great, they're gonna cut the headphone jack from the entry level iPad now too

 

[Ashbash75]

No doubt with a price increase too!!

 

[Andres Cantu]

Expect the price to go up to $429, or $399 for education.

The iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini all had price hikes when they went to a flat design and USB-C.

 

[tomtad]

Hang on they've kept the home button!! It just doesn't need to be there anymore with how iPadOS works now.

There's also no Smart Connector on the rear which makes me doubt the accuracy of these renders. They've probably got the overall form factor and screen correct but not the fine details.

 

[opeter]

OK, but where is the notch? 🤔

 

[Apple$]

Maybe $349 USD? $379 USD? Or $399 USD?

 

[MacDevil7334]

Seems unlikely they would develop an entirely new design for their cheapest iPad. Seems more likely/economical for them to dust off the 10.5” Pro/Air 3 design and swap the lightning connector for USB-C. Can’t imagine them going to the squared body style and not ditching the home button at the same time.

 

[fwmireault]

If the render is legit, it looks like they will keep a front home button. That means that these bezels will be pretty thick

 

[Red Oak]

Oh great, they're gonna cut the headphone jack from the entry level iPad now too

Use the lightning or USB-C port. It’s not difficult

Not everything is a crisis

 

[NewUsername]

Hang on they've kept the home button!! It just doesn't need to be there anymore with how iPadOS works now.

There's also no Smart Connector on the rear which makes me doubt the accuracy of these renders. They've probably got the overall form factor and screen correct but not the fine details.

I guess so they can keep Touch ID in the home button instead of the power button?

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Use the lightning or USB-C port. It’s not difficult

Not everything is a crisis

Okay listen. You can argue the lack of a headphone jack for the iPhone for water resistance reasons and how small the thing is, even though I will still fight you on that

On the iPad though? There's ZERO excuse why the thing doesn't have a headphone jack anymore. They cut it from the iPad Pros and Airs but the entry level model still had it, but if this redesign is to be believed it's gonna get cut from that too. Why? Why does the iPad not have one anymore? The iPad is not water resistant at all, it's not small, it has plenty of room for one, and Apple keeps marketing it as a laptop replacement. So why does it not have one when the MacBook Airs (that a lot of times are cheaper than the M1 iPads) still have one?

 

[BrownyQ]

Something very off-putting about the rumored design/look... this half squared, half classic appearance... icky.

But I am curious to see if this turns out to be true.

 

[PetterA]

The back facing camera is also stupid on a tablet, especially when it needs a bump. Probably every person who owns an iPad also has a phone, just save some cost and get rid of it.

 

[Apple fan from Korea]

The 10th-generation entry-level iPad could feature a design closer to that of the iPad mini, with flat edges, a rear camera bump, quad speakers, and more, according to renders of the alleged device obtained by MySmartPrice from a case maker.

The report also reiterates previous rumors about the 10th-generation iPad, including a larger display, a USB-C port, A14 Bionic chip, 5G support, and more.

Based on the renders, the 10th-generation iPad's chassis would have rounded corners, but the rounded corners would not extend to the display. This less premium design would be suitable for the entry-level iPad, which currently starts at $329. Given the redesign, however, it is possible the 10th-generation iPad will see a slight price increase.

Apple is expected to announce the 10th-generation iPad alongside new iPad Pro models with the M2 chip later this year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release iPadOS 16 to the public in October, so perhaps the 10th-generation iPad and new iPad Pro models will be unveiled in October as well.

Apple released the 9th-generation iPad in September 2021, with key features including a 10.2-inch display, an A13 Bionic chip, an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for the Center Stage feature, True Tone, double the base storage, and more.

Article Link: Next Entry-Level iPad Rumored to Feature Flat Edges, Camera Bump, Quad Speakers, and More

Those bezels tho 😒

 

[tomtad]

Something very off-putting about the rumored design/look... this half squared, half classic appearance... icky.

But I am curious to see if this turns out to be true.

I think the squared design is coming, if anything just so it makes the base model compatible with the Pencil 2 and the Keyboard Folio/Magic Keyboard

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Something very off-putting about the rumored design/look... this half squared, half classic appearance... icky.

Not to mention still having a home button despite the design not needing one anymore, putting the iPhone X's camera on the back, while also cutting the headphone jack.

It just looks, wrong. I really hope this rumor is fake.

 

[Realityck]

The 10th-generation entry-level iPad could feature a design closer to that of the iPad mini, with flat edges, a rear camera bump, quad speakers, and more, according to renders of the alleged device obtained by MySmartPrice from a case maker.

Sounds like a nice redesign, but it might effect the need to buy a iPad Air?

 

[icymountain]

Okay listen. You can argue the lack of a headphone jack for the iPhone for water resistance reasons and how small the thing is, even though I will still fight you on that

On the iPad though? There's ZERO excuse why the thing doesn't have a headphone jack anymore. They cut it from the iPad Pros and Airs but the entry level model still had it, but if this redesign is to be believed it's gonna get cut from that too. Why? Why does the iPad not have one anymore? The iPad is not water resistant at all, it's not small, it has plenty of room for one, and Apple keeps marketing it as a laptop replacement. So why does it not have one when the MacBook Airs (that a lot of times are cheaper than the M1 iPads) still have one?

I fully agree with you it is unacceptable to not have a headphone jack on iPads but can certainly explain why. I imagine a large part of the headphone users end up getting some bluetooth earphones, and a large part of these will get Apple's own earphones which most likely generate a nice margin to the company. So, as a vendor, you get to spare a $5 part on a $1k device, and then you sell more $150 or $200 devices. This is why...

As to the "just use the usb-c port" response: since I have an iPad pro 11", I got a dongle to plug the audio and have endless problems with it. Either the sound is not high enough or the mike does not work, or its usb-c pass through port charges too slowly. It is insane... And no, I will not be happy with BT headphones either.

 

[randyhudson]

Yes! Bring back the sharp creases that cut into your palms while you're holding it.

 

[Spock]

I wonder if it will have a laminated display, I really missed that when I upgrade from my iPad Air 2 to the 7th generation iPad.

 

[Premium1]

All that and it still won't be able to run stage manager