Apple revealed on Sunday that the upcoming iPad Pro running on the new M5 chip will include two front-facing cameras, improving the experience of selfies and FaceTime calls regardless of how the device is held.
This shift targets users who prefer vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) orientations, correcting an earlier design move that only placed the single front camera on the landscape edge.
Dual camera enhance portrait and landscape use
The M5 iPad Pro, expected to launch insaza October 2025, will add a second front camera on the portrait side, complementing the existing landscape-facing camera introduced with the M4 iPad Pro in May 2024.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg explained, “Apple is adding a second, portrait-side front-facing camera… so FaceTimers and selfie fans can use the device equally well in either orientation”—a small but welcome quality-of-life upgrade that addresses complaints from some users who found the prior camera placement limiting.
This camera setup also utilises sensors that detect the device’s orientation to automatically select the best camera, making unlocking with Face ID and video calls smoother, whether the iPad Pro is held vertically or horizontally.
Design refinements and performance boosts
Apart from the dual front cameras, the M5 iPad Pro will include a faster chip for better power efficiency and performance.
Rumours also suggest Apple will slim down the bezels further, possibly by incorporating an OLED display, which may influence the camera design to fit within tighter spaces.
While no major design overhauls are expected beyond these changes, adding two front cameras indicates Apple’s focus on improving user interaction in real-world scenarios.
The iPad Pro line, launched in late 2015, continues to evolve annually, adding features that enhance productivity and multimedia use.
The current seventh-gen model came out in May 2024 with the M4 chip, and the M5-powered model launching later this year will be the first Apple device to use this next-generation silicon.
By adding two front cameras, Apple is simplifying the iPad Pro experience and removing guesswork about camera placement, ultimately accommodating more users’ preferences for holding and using their devices.