Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce a significant camera upgrade with its upcoming iPad Pro, expected to launch later this year. According to a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman, the next-generation iPad Pro—likely powered by Apple’s latest M5 chip—will feature two front-facing cameras: one positioned on the portrait edge and the other on the landscape edge.
Historically, iPad models placed the front camera on the portrait side, but Apple shifted the camera to the landscape side with the 2024 iPad Pro M4—prioritizing users who mostly use their iPads in landscape mode for video calls and Face ID. While this benefited many, some users who prefer a vertical orientation found Face ID and selfie framing less intuitive. The reported reintroduction of a portrait-side front camera means future iPad Pros may use either camera for optimal framing in both landscape and portrait use.
Along with this camera upgrade, the new iPad Pro is expected to include performance boosts and improved power efficiency from the advanced M5 chip. This fits Apple’s usual 18-month cycle for major iPad Pro updates, with recent reports and leaks pointing to a release in October 2025. Mass production is believed to start in the second half of the year, after advanced prototype testing.
Beyond the iPad series, Apple is also reportedly preparing M5 chip updates for multiple product lines, including the Vision Pro headset, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac.
The addition of a second front-facing camera, if confirmed, would offer iPad Pro users a more versatile and user-friendly experience for selfies, video calls, and Face ID authentication, regardless of device orientation. This mirrors a broader industry trend of optimizing hardware for increasingly flexible, hybrid work and communication needs.