Skip to main content

Sketchy iPad Air 3 drawing shows 4 speakers, camera flash in new design

iPad Pro speaker system

Even the source Nowhereelse is unsure about this one, but it’s certainly interesting to imagine. A purported blueprint illustration of the upcoming iPad Air 3 tablet claims to show four speakers, not two, planned for the updated 9.7-inch tablet, as well as a possible camera flash for the first time. Apple focused on the larger iPad Pro and upgraded iPad mini 4 last year, and an upgraded iPad Air 3 is expected sometime this year.

While unconfirmed at this point, the two major claims of the purportedly leaked iPad Air 3 illustration aren’t entirely impossible to believe.

First up is the move from a single stereo speaker setup to a dual stereo speaker setup. Apple introduced this design with the iPad Pro, and the result is an impressive audio system that adjusts to whichever orientation you hold the iPad. The design also has the added benefit of not muffling sound when you cover one particular area of the iPad as additional speakers are available to push out sound.

Next up is the presence of a flash for photography. Apple notably did not include a flash on the iPad Pro, which is admittedly even less ideal for shooting photos and videos than the iPad Air lineup, but it would be curious to see the updated 9.7-inch iPad be technically more capable in this regard than the 12.9-inch tablet. iPads have been gaining upgraded cameras for both still photography and video capture over the years, and flashes double as a flashlight utility in dark situations, although a blank tab in Safari at full brightness has a similar effect.

Claimed iPad Air 3 drawing

At any rate, 9to5Mac reported today that development is indeed underway for the iPad Air 3 although it’s unclear if the refreshed 9.7-inch tablet will be ready in time for Apple’s expected March event where Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5se and new Apple Watch bands or later in the year. Let us know what you think about an upgraded speaker system and a potential camera flash on the upcoming iPad Air 3 in the comments.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. Mark Woodworth - 8 years ago

    Apple REALLY needs to consider (strongly) adding some type of SD card slot! I mean, the Macbook Pro has it, why not the iPad Pro?!

    • numtsi - 8 years ago

      You can’t compare a working machine like the MBPro with a consumer device like the iPad, even the iPad Pro that is not completely a consumer device. It will never have a SD Slot. It’s totally against Apple’s philosophy and I’m fine with that.

      • Walter White - 8 years ago

        That logic is what is ruining the marketplace, because consumers are so willing to bend over for the industry fab. My Palm from 2002 had a SD card reader on it, but for Apple you pay twice as much for extra storage, sapps!

      • PhilBoogie - 8 years ago

        And where is that Palm from 2002 now?

      • …Walter White… Neither my Nexus 5X phone or Nexus 7 tablet have an SD slot. Why just pick on Apple? You hate much?!?

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      Just buy the $29 SD card reader and move on.

    • Nolan-News - 8 years ago

      I will only be impressed with the iPad Pro when I have the ability to charge my iPhone from it. I/O is a crucial and exciting part of any tablet. I think the Apple Pencil is one step in the right direction towards that goal.

    • .max (@pointum) - 8 years ago

      Why would Apple give up their $150 markup for 128GB model so you could by a 128GB Microsd for $40 instead? If you want the iPad you’ll buy it. It’s not a deal breaker and they know it and they will milk it as long as it takes.

      • My nexus 5X 32GB cost $50 more than the 16GB version. If it had an SD card slot, I could have put a $10 32GB or $20 64GB card in instead. You guys need to stop singling out Apple for stuff like this.

    • Electrium (@Kalamal0o) - 8 years ago

      Why have SD card slot? Use an Eye-Fi card and share via Wifi. People need to stop with this legacy technology. How great would it be if photos from DSLR is just automatically transferred.

    • Štěpán Pazderka - 8 years ago

      What, my friend? They are moving away from SD card slot. The MacBook doesnt have one and it seems less and less people are using SD card slot and replacing it with cloud and direct WiFi transfers. No, we don’t need SD card slot in iPad. That would be a useless step backwards.

  2. numtsi - 8 years ago

    Shut up and take my money!!! ;)

  3. Avieshek (@avieshek) - 8 years ago

    “Dual Stereo Speakers”..

  4. Christoph Lindemann - 8 years ago

    I have an iPad pro now for a week and it’s a phenomenal device, I’m really impressed by the pencil, the display and most of all the speakers. It’s great those 4 speakers will be added to the smaller iPad because it makes the media consumption 10 times better

    • blakthundar - 8 years ago

      I’ve had mine since November and love it. Was initially concerned about the size, but now I don’t think I’d ever go back. The screen and speakers are boss for when you want to watch a movie. The pencil is really nice for taking handwritten notes, so I’ve held off from the keyboard because I find my Pro to be great as a note-taker for meetings, then I have all my notes neatly organized in Evernote.

  5. Michael Kobb (@mjkobb) - 8 years ago

    What I wish they’d do is to adopt the edge profile of the iPhone 6/6s. The chamfered edge on the existing iPads is sharp and uncomfortable to hold for long periods, as when reading. A simple change like that would look nice (which seems to be all Apple cares about lately), while not detracting from the function.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      No, I think the current design is as good as it gets for an iPad. The rounded would make holding it harder due to the rounded edge sliding up your palm more easily. You can bet they considered it, and probably made prototypes and have decided it doesn’t work.

    • .max (@pointum) - 8 years ago

      Hmm, I’m holding an iPad Air 2 at this very moment with both palms squeezing from the sides. Doesn’t feel sharp to me. What’s really sharp (and pointy) is MacBook Pro clam inset by the trackpad.

  6. Craig Gottschalk - 8 years ago

    As long as it has the same Horsepower and Torque as the iPad Pro, I’m in

  7. Stuart Walker - 8 years ago

    Waiting for the next iPad with all the features (pencil, keyboard port) of the Pro but with the size of the iPad A2

  8. o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

    This looks legit and the reason why is due to the flash being under the camera, because designers are seemingly idiotic and would ignore the speaker there and put the flash where it is on the other devices. Also because there is basically nothing to add to a new iPad Air if it’s true that 3D Touch isn’t ready for the bigger display yet, ergo they have to add new speakers, and whatever else they can to get people on board. Of course it will have pencil support, which is a good reason to get it.

  9. Joshua Libby - 8 years ago

    They could make the speakers adapt based on the device orientation for the correct stereo effect (copyright 2016).

  10. David Vall-Lloveras - 8 years ago

    It’s amazing how so many people will easily part with their money just for the name Apple and the perception that this somehow makes them “cool.”

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.