CAD renderings obtained from a trade publication give us a first look at the alleged design of the 12.9-inch iPad Air, which is expected later this year. We discover a rear photo module… with optics that are not alien to us.
The iPad Air M1 and its Apple Pencil stylus for illustration // Source: FRANDROID – Anthony WONNER
Apple is expected to announce several new iPads this year: at least one OLED iPad Pro, possibly in the spring, ahead of WWDC 2024; but also two iPad Airs. The first would be a simple reissue of the current model, while the second would adopt an entirely new 12.9-inch diagonal to offer a larger display area on the Cupertino giant's mid-range slates.
Today we learn a little more about the design of this potential XXL version of the iPad Air, with 3D CAD renderings revealing the supposed lines of the panel. These renderings shared by the specialist site 91Mobiles show us a 12.9-inch iPad Air that more or less takes up the aesthetics of the 10.9-inch model on the front, but has a special feature on the back: a photo module whose The shape looks quite familiar to us.
Towards a small iPhone X “legacy” on the 12.9-inch iPad Air?
In this case, the rear photo module of the 12.9-inch iPad Air appears to be significantly different from the round module seen on models released since the iPad Air 5. Its sensor would actually be integrated into a small protrusion in the shape of a pill , reminiscent of the shape of the case that at the time housed the dual rear sensor of the iPhone X. However, if we stick to the 3D model published by 91Mobiles, the iPad Air XXL – like its little brother – would make do with a single rear camera. We wouldn't find a LiDAR sensor there either… always reserved for the Pro models.
Source: 91Mobiles
Source: 91Mobiles
However, we find quite strong bezels on the front, visibly slightly thicker than on the 11-inch iPad Pro. However, it is certain that the difference in boundaries between the two models will not be obvious. Incidentally, this new large-format iPad Air would have a linear aluminum body and a fingerprint reader housed in the lock button on the top edge.