Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a second front-facing camera to its upcoming M5-powered iPad Pro, aiming to address user concerns about the current landscape-only camera setup.
HIghlights
- Dual Front Cameras Expected: Apple may add a second front camera aligned for portrait mode, improving Face ID and video calls across all orientations.
- Fixing a 2024 Usability Gap: Users criticized the M4 iPad Pro’s landscape-only front camera for making portrait-mode Face ID and selfies awkward.
- Sleek Integration: The second camera will likely be hidden in the bezel, avoiding notches or display interference to maintain the iPad’s minimalist look.
- Consistent Across Models: Both 11-inch and 13-inch variants of the M5 iPad Pro are expected to feature this dual-camera system.
- Core Design Unchanged: Besides the new camera layout, the M5 iPad Pro is likely to retain the same form factor and architecture as the M4 generation.
- Not Flashy, But Smart: The update isn’t revolutionary—but it directly addresses real user pain points, showing Apple’s iterative and feedback-driven design strategy.
- Nods to the Past: The dual-orientation concept echoes Apple’s scrapped 2010 idea of dual dock connectors—revived in a more elegant, modern form.
- Lineup-Wide Refresh Ahead: Apple is also planning updates for the iPad Air (M4 chip) and base iPad (better processor), expected in early 2026.
The change would allow seamless use of Face ID and video calls in both portrait and landscape orientations.
A Shift That Missed
The 2024 iPad Pro brought significant upgrades—Apple’s M4 chip, a vibrant OLED display, nano-texture glass option, and a repositioned front camera now aligned for landscape use.
While this change optimized video calls and FaceTime experiences when the iPad is used horizontally, it presented new challenges in vertical (portrait) usage.
Many users reported that Face ID sometimes failed to recognize their face when holding the device upright. Selfie framing also became awkward, diminishing the usability for tasks typically performed in portrait mode.
A Dual-Orientation Camera System
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring the inclusion of an additional front-facing camera aligned for portrait use.
Rather than reverting to the previous portrait-only layout, Apple could retain the landscape camera while discreetly integrating a second camera to support upright use cases.
This solution reflects Apple’s incremental design philosophy—refining user experience without making drastic hardware changes. If implemented, the feature would enhance video calls, selfies, and biometric authentication regardless of how the tablet is held.
Design Consistency and Technical
- Minimal Impact on Design – The second camera is expected to be embedded within the bezel, similar to how the landscape camera was integrated in 2024. This ensures that Apple’s minimalist aesthetic remains intact without notches or punch-holes disrupting the display.
- Consistent Across Sizes – Reports suggest the dual-camera configuration will be present in both 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models, highlighting Apple’s intent to support a wide range of user workflows.
- Processor and Form Factor – The M5 iPad Pro is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2025. Apart from the front camera update, the core design and architecture are likely to remain consistent with the current generation.
More Than Just a Camera
The new portrait-aligned front camera is also expected to improve Face ID accuracy and responsiveness in upright mode—a usability issue highlighted by many users.
This tweak aligns with Apple’s long-standing focus on seamless user experiences, especially in devices intended for both creative and productivity tasks.
Not Revolutionary, But Practical
While not a radical shift, the addition is seen as a smart enhancement grounded in real-world feedback.
As Gurman noted, it’s “not particularly revolutionary,” but represents Apple’s commitment to fine-tuning the iPad based on observed usage patterns rather than chasing headline-grabbing redesigns.
Echoes of Past Concepts
This evolution also echoes Apple’s earlier experiments with dual-orientation support. The original 2010 iPad prototype nearly featured dual dock connectors for portrait and landscape use—a concept ultimately scrapped by Steve Jobs.
The dual-camera approach marks a return to that flexibility, but with more modern and subtle execution.
Broader Product Line Updates on the Horizon
In addition to the M5 iPad Pro, Apple is reportedly working on updates for its entry-level iPad and iPad Air lines.
- iPad Air May receive the M4 chip.
- Base iPad Could get a more powerful mobile processor.
These updates are expected in early 2026.