Apple’s iPad Air is due an upgrade, and it looks like this year’s upgrade is going to be a big one. If a leaked iPad Air 4 pamphlet is to be believed, then Apple is going to bring a new iPad Pro inspired design to the iPad Air, transitioning it from the outdated home button centered design of iPad Air 3, which has been around since the original iPad.
The legitimate looking pamphlet leaked by Twitter user DuanRui has allegedly revealed a bunch of 2020 iPad Air features including its design. As can be seen in the leaked images the fourth generation iPad Air will feature a full screen design that Apple first debuted in 2018 with iPad Pros. Previous rumors have suggested that it will have a 10.8-inch LCD display. The new design will feature an edge to edge display with a bezel frame and no home button. Instead of the home button users will be able to interact with the iPad using the slide up to go home gesture.
One major difference that has been revealed in the pamphlet is the lack of Face ID on this new device. Instead of Face ID sensor like the iPad Pros or same design, 2020’s iPad Air is shown to have a Touch ID sensor built right into its lock/sleep button. This button will be located on the top right corner of the device and will allow users to unlock the device by placing finger on the button. If this is true, then it will be the first time ever that Apple is changing the position of the Touch ID sensor, which has always been on the home button of the device.
Another welcome change that this new iPad Air is going to bring is it will drop the Lightning port in favor of the USB-C port, which we see on the newer iPad Pro models.
The back of the iPad Air is very similar to the 2018 iPad Pros, as it will have a single camera instead of the dual-cameras and LiDAR sensor found on 2020 iPad Pros. This makes sense as the iPad Air is a relatively affordable model when compared with the Pros, and putting a single camera on it makes more financial sense for Apple.
iPad Air 4 Will Be A Better Value To Money Than 2020 iPad Pros
Keeping these leaks in mind we are very excited about the changes Apple is rumored to introduce in the fourth generation iPad Air. The fact that it has a modern design, USB-C port, new Touch ID sensor and a nicer camera makes it a good option for those looking to buy their first iPad or upgrading from older models.
And with a $499 starting price (assuming it remains the same for the new model as the current generation) iPad Air offers a much better value for casual iPad users who don’t want to spend $799 or higher on an entry level iPad Pro just because they want a modern design.
With the new design and USB-C, iPad Air 4 will also feature support for the second generation Apple Pencil, as the current iPad Air only supports the original Pencil, which is another reason why it is a great option for buyers with lower budgets.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo iPad Air will be released in fall of 2020.