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Apple's next iPad Pro could borrow the iPhone's triple-camera setup

By Joshua Swingle

Updated: Aug 10, 2019, 11:12 AM

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Apple's next iPad Pro could borrow the iPhone's triple-camera setup

The 11-inch iPad Pro

Rumor has it Apple is gearing up to launch a new 10.2-inch iPad (2019) and updated iPad Pro models later this year. Details about these devices remain pretty scarce at the moment but a new report suggests Apple could be planning some very important camera upgrades.

The iPad (2019) could feature a dual-camera setup

According to Mac Otakara (translated) who cites a supplier within China, there’s a “possibility” the iPad (2019) model will ship with an all-new dual-camera setup on the rear which may be borrowed from the iPhone XR’s successor.

If true, it means the 10.2-inch iPad will feature a square-shaped module in the top-left corner that’ll house two cameras, a quad-LED flash, and a microphone. The primary sensor, which should be paired with optical image stabilization, will be similar to the one found on current-gen iPhones and therefore offer a 12-megapixel resolution. Unfortunately, though, the exact specifications are yet to be revealed.

Sitting directly below the main camera should be a second 12-megapixel sensor. In this case, however, it’s expected to be paired with a telephoto lens which supports 2x optical zoom and optical image stabilization.

Nothing was revealed about the entry-level iPad in terms of camera features, but the presence of two sensors should enable portrait photography on the model. AR Content may also be displayed more correctly thanks to the extra data.

Apple's 2019 iPad Pro models might borrow the iPhone 11's cameras

Because Apple typically releases iPad Pro upgrades every 1.5 years and the latest versions were only introduced last October, the expectation was that next-gen models wouldn’t arrive until March 2020 at the earliest. But Mac Otakara suggests they’re actually on track for 2019.

Per today’s report, Apple is currently preparing two updated models that’ll be announced in October at a separate hardware event. Like the entry-level iPad, these are expected to benefit from a square-shaped camera module on the rear. This time around, though, three sensors are rumored rather than just two.

Like the iPhone 11/iPhone Pro duo, there will be primary and telephoto cameras accompanied by an all-new super-wide-angle alternative. This should offer a 12-megapixel resolution and a 120º field of view – the Galaxy Note 10 supports a slightly wider 123º field of view. Also, its implementation should give allow Apple to implement a new feature called ‘Smart Frame.’

According to a previous report, Smart Frame will capture extra image data outside of a pictures frame. The iPad will then store the data and allow cropping and other adjustments after a photo has been taken. In the hope of guarding the user’s privacy, the extra data will automatically be eliminated after a predetermined amount of time.

Like the 10.2-inch iPad, Apple’s next-gen iPad Pro models are expected to introduce support for Portrait photography. The performance of AR Content should be improved too.

iPad (2019) and iPad Pro (2019) announcement and release date

The iPad (2019) is expected to go official alongside the iPhone 11 series at Apple’s hardware event next month. The company is yet to send out invites but the expectation is that it’ll take place on Tuesday, September 10. Pre-orders for both the iPad and iPhones should kick off on Friday, September 13 with a release happening seven days later on Friday, September 20.

Regarding the 2019 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, Mac Otakara suggests they will be introduced at a separate event Apple will hold in late October as it did last year. The new iPad Pros may also be joined by a 16-inch MacBook Pro model and potentially some other Mac-related products.