New supposed iPad Air images with larger screen, power button-based Touch ID leak

Reports from earlier in the year suggested that Apple is readying new versions of its iPad and iPad Mini offerings for release in late 2020 and early 2021, respectively. The former is expected to be a 10.8-inch tablet, hinting that it could be an iPad Air successor, which in its current iteration sports a 10.5-inch screen. Now, images of a pamphlet for an iPad Air have leaked, showing off some of the features that the tablet could offer.

The images, posted by Twitter user DuanRui, contain instructions in Spanish for the use of the tablet, along with images of the device itself. The tablet seems to feature thinner bezels and does away with the circular Touch ID below the display. The verbiage in the manual points towards a power button mounted Touch ID sensor at the top of the device.

The device also houses the docking pins at the back for attaching keyboard accessories. Interestingly, the images also mention ‘Type-C’, suggesting that the Cupertino giant might be moving to a Type-C based connector for the tablet. Additionally, although blurred, an ‘Apple Pencil’ mention is seen above the Type-C mention.

If the images are indeed legitimate, the firm could be adding support for the second-generation Apple Pencil with this device. Support for the first-generation stylus that charges through a Lightning port was added to the iPad Air last year. The images also point to a flatter chassis of the device, which could house the Pencil magnetically for charging, just like on the iPad Pro. It is not clear what processor powers this supposed Air successor.

It will be interesting to see what devices the firm unveils at its fall event. It is also not clear if any of the rumored plans have changed due to the delays caused by the pandemic.