The next iPad Pro should look a lot like the iPhone X, minus the notch

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In just a few weeks, Apple’s expected to announce its 2018 iPhone and iPad Pro lineup. The latter could include two all-new tablets that might look very similar to the current iPhone X, except in one crucial way.

This week, the folks over at 9to5Mac discovered code in the fifth iOS 12 developer beta that suggests this year’s iPad Pros will feature thinner bezels and no Home button. Without the latter, this means the tablets are almost certainly going to include Face ID, rather than Touch ID for authentication.

Interestingly, however, it also looks like the iPad Pro lineup won’t feature the controversial notch that’s found on the iPhone X and other smartphones.

This method in AccessibilitySettings confirms Face ID on the new iPad Pro (J3xx) pic.twitter.com/oeJQ0GxOoM

— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) August 1, 2018

If true, this is huge news and suggests Apple has found a way to incorporate its TrueDepth camera technology without needing a pesky notch.

9to5Mac concludes:

The name of the asset specifies “iPad”, it’s new to iOS 12 beta 5 and there’s no references in the system yet, so it’s clear we’re talking about a future product, which will probably be the 2018 iPad Pro that is slated to be released this fall. We’ve seen other evidence in the OS that hints that Apple is preparing Face ID to support in landscape orientation, contrary to a rumor which claimed it would only work in portrait even on iPad.

The new iOS device lineup could be announced as early as September 12. Besides an all-new 11-inch iPad Pro and third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple is likely to announce a second-generation 5.8-inch iPhone X, 6.5-inch “iPhone X Plus,” and 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. A fourth-generation Apple Watch is also expected.

On Thursday, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Tab S4 with, you guessed it, no Home button.

Are you planning on buying a new tablet this year? If so, which kind will you purchase?

For other tech news, check out:

• Some Snapchat Lenses now activate with voice, because making faces wasn’t obnoxious enough
• Tesla’s next software update will bring Atari games to its in-car display
• Huawei has quietly become the No. 2 smartphone maker in the world