iPad 10 Could Have A Very Different Touch ID And FaceTime Camera

According to the Japanese Apple fan blog MacOtakara, the leaked schematics for the iPad 10 don’t actually include locations for the Touch ID button and FaceTime front camera. The presumption was that, given the size of the bezels in the diagram, they would be in the same locations as previous iPads. The site, however, offers a different interpretation since the schematics are just meant for accessory makers, leaving out those two critical pieces of information.

According to those sources, the Touch ID sensor might actually be integrated with the top button in a way similar to that of the 6th-gen iPad Mini and 5th-gen iPad Air. What’s more interesting, however, is the suggestion that the FaceTime camera will be relocated to the side of the tablet rather than the usual top. The current location of the front-facing cameras for the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Mini is intended for a portrait orientation. Moving the camera to the side means that the iPad 10 would be designed for use in landscape orientation. Even the iPad Pro still has its cameras at the top of the screen.

If Touch ID is being moved to the top button, the 10th-gen iPad could very well have thinner bezels than any of its predecessors. In terms of design, this would put it on par with the iPad Air. If true, these two models will mostly be differentiated by their internal hardware, with the iPad 10 sporting entry-level or older specs. That said, it’s all still speculation for now, but it would definitely be an interesting move for Apple.