M5 iPad Pro: you’re holding your iPad Pro vertically, trying to unlock it with Face ID, but your hand keeps covering the camera. Sound familiar? If you’ve experienced this frustrating scenario with Apple’s current iPad Pro, you’re definitely not alone. The good news is that Apple has been listening, and the upcoming M5 iPad Pro promises to solve this nagging problem once and for all.
Understanding the Current Challenge
When Apple redesigned the iPad Pro in 2024 with the M4 chip, they made a significant change that seemed logical on paper but created real-world headaches for many users. The company moved the Face ID camera and TrueDepth sensors from their traditional spot at the top of the device (when held vertically) to the long edge, positioning them for landscape orientation.
This change wasn’t arbitrary. Apple had good reasons for making this move. When you use your iPad Pro with a keyboard attachment or prop it up on a desk, you’re typically viewing it in landscape mode. Having the camera positioned on the long edge means more natural eye contact during video calls and better Face ID performance when the device is oriented horizontally.
However, this solution created a new problem that many users discovered quickly. When holding the iPad Pro in portrait mode – which is still how many people naturally grip and use their tablets – it becomes incredibly easy to accidentally cover the Face ID sensors with your fingers or palm. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it can make unlocking your device genuinely frustrating, especially when you’re trying to quickly access something.
The Dual Camera Solution
Apple’s answer to this dilemma is surprisingly elegant: the M5 iPad Pro will feature two front-facing cameras instead of one. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple plans to add a second camera and Face ID sensor setup positioned along the short edge for portrait use, while maintaining the existing landscape camera placement.
Think of this like having the best of both worlds. When you hold your iPad Pro in landscape mode, the system will use the camera positioned on the long edge. Flip it to portrait mode, and it seamlessly switches to the camera on the short edge. This means no more awkward hand repositioning or frustrated attempts to unlock your device.
The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity for the user experience. You won’t need to think about which camera to use or adjust your grip based on orientation. The iPad’s built-in sensors, which already detect whether you’re holding the device vertically or horizontally, will automatically determine which Face ID camera to activate.
Why This Matters More Than You Might Think
This dual camera setup addresses several real-world scenarios that current iPad Pro users face daily. Consider someone reading an e-book or browsing social media – activities that feel more natural in portrait orientation. With the current setup, these users often find themselves having to be mindful of where they place their hands, which disrupts the natural flow of using the device.
The improvement extends beyond just unlocking your iPad. Video calling, which has become increasingly important for both personal and professional communication, will feel more natural regardless of how you’re holding your device. When you’re in a video meeting and holding your iPad vertically, the camera will now be positioned where it should be – not off to one side, making it look like you’re glancing away from the conversation.
For students taking notes by hand with an Apple Pencil, this change could be particularly welcome. Many people prefer to write on a vertically-oriented screen because it more closely mimics the experience of writing on paper. The current camera placement can interfere with this natural hand positioning, but the dual camera system should eliminate this concern.
The Technical Implementation
Apple has designed these dual cameras to be embedded within the bezels, maintaining the clean aesthetic that the company has prioritized in recent iPad models. This means you won’t see obvious camera bumps or awkward placements that disrupt the device’s sleek appearance.
The implementation likely involves sophisticated software that can instantly determine which camera to use based on the device’s orientation. This isn’t just about detecting landscape versus portrait mode – the system needs to be smart enough to switch cameras seamlessly and maintain the same level of Face ID security and accuracy regardless of which sensor is active.
From a technical standpoint, having two Face ID systems also provides redundancy. If one camera gets temporarily obstructed or has issues, the system could potentially fall back to the other camera if you adjust your grip or orientation.
What Else to Expect from the M5 iPad Pro
While the dual camera system is the headline feature addressing user frustrations, it’s not the only improvement coming to the M5 iPad Pro. The new model will feature Apple’s M5 chip, built on an improved 3-nanometer process that promises better performance and efficiency. This means faster processing speeds and potentially better battery life.
The device is also expected to feature larger display options, with sizes anticipated at 11.5 inches and 13.5 inches, made possible by reducing bezel thickness for a more immersive viewing experience. Apple continues to refine the tandem OLED technology that debuted in the M4 models, promising even better brightness, contrast, and energy efficiency.
The exterior design will largely remain unchanged from the current generation, maintaining the ultra-thin profile and premium materials that users have come to appreciate. This makes sense from Apple’s perspective – the M4 iPad Pro already established a new design language, and there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
This dual camera approach reflects Apple’s broader philosophy of refining features based on real user feedback rather than completely overhauling working systems. The company clearly gathered data and listened to complaints about the current Face ID placement and chose to address the issue directly rather than reverting to the old design.
Interestingly, this concept isn’t entirely new for Apple. The company originally planned to include dock connectors on both portrait and landscape edges of the very first iPad back in 2010, though that feature was cancelled before launch by Steve Jobs himself. The dual camera setup serves a similar purpose: supporting flexibility in how users hold and interact with their devices.
When Can You Get Your Hands on It?
Current rumors suggest the M5 iPad Pro models will enter mass production in the second half of 2025, with a potential release window of September or October. This timeline aligns with Apple’s typical 18-month update cycle for iPad Pro models, as the current M4 versions launched in May 2024.
The pricing is expected to remain similar to current models, though external factors like supply chain challenges or trade policies could influence final costs. However, no significant disruptions are currently anticipated that would dramatically affect pricing.
The M5 iPad Pro’s dual camera solution represents exactly the kind of thoughtful iteration that makes Apple products feel more intuitive over time. By addressing a genuine pain point that affects how people naturally use their devices, Apple is making the iPad Pro more versatile without sacrificing the benefits that the landscape camera position already provides.
Whether you’re someone who primarily uses their iPad Pro for creative work, business presentations, casual browsing, or video calls with family, this change should make your daily interactions with the device feel more natural and less frustrating. Sometimes the best innovations aren’t the flashiest features – they’re the ones that remove small annoyances you didn’t even realize were bothering you until they’re gone.