iPad Pro 2018 news, updates: iPhone X's Face ID feature coming to Apple tablet next year

A promotional photo of the iPad Pro.Apple

According to the latest reports, there is a chance that Apple will launch a new iPad Pro next year. The main attraction of the company's next high-end tablet is the same feature that made the recently-launched iPhone X stand out: the full facial recognition technology. If the rumors are to be believed, a major change in the iPad Pro can be expected to incorporate Face ID.

Latest reports from MacRumors and 9to5Mac quoted the predictions of the ever-reliable Ming Chi Kuo, a tech analyst from KGI Securities. According to his predictions, the new iPad Pro models to be released in 2018 will have the Face ID feature, following the footsteps of the 10th anniversary iPhone handset. Although, there is still uncertainty if the Face ID will arrive in the iPad Pro, as the iPhone X and its full facial recognition feature have yet to be reviewed by the public.

Furthermore, Kuo also predicted that the 2018 iPad Pro models will include deep-sensing camera, something that may help the Face ID technology to work in Apple tablets. For now, the current iPad Pro design is not suitable to support a security measure that involves 3D mapping of the user's facial feature. According to The Verge, the new iPad Pro is likely to put the Face ID camera on the device's upper bezel, or just beside the selfie camera.

Another possible change in the iPad Pro is a total makeover to copy the iPhone X design. If this ever comes true, the iPad Pro 2018 may no longer have a Touch ID fingerprint reader. To note, the iPhone X ditched the physical home button and fingerprint scanner for an all-screen front display. For a mobile device that already has a widescreen display, the iPad Pro does not need to ditch the fingerprint scanner. It is also odd for the iPad Pro to reduce its bezels, as it would make the device costly.

There is also a possibility that the iPad Pro 2018 will have two security features, having both the Face ID and Touch ID, according to Engadget. However, everything will still depend on the public's response on the iPhone X's facial recognition technology, as the smartphone itself has not yet hit shelves. Aside from the iPad Pro, there are speculations that Apple's future handsets will include the Face ID starting next year.