The rumour mill has been busy today spilling information about the forthcoming iPads. Now, in addition to Reuters‘ claim that the iPad mini 2 won’t feature a Retina display, Ming Chi Ku of KGI Securities claims that the next-generation Apple tablets will include an enhanced camera (via MacRumors).
According to the analyst, who has a good track record in predicting Apple’s moves (for example, he was the one who first stated that the iPhone 5s would come with a fingerprint sensor), Apple will likely implement an 8 MP camera into the next-generation tablets, both the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.
The currently available models feature a decent, 5 MP rear camera with an f/2.4 aperture, which, by the way, is the same hardware introduced with the iPad 3 back in March 2012.
We predict Apple (US) will launch new iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 (so called retina iPad mini) in 4Q13. As the tablet market becomes increasingly competitive, Apple could upgrade the camera as a selling point for the new iPad in a bid to increase competitiveness. We expect the upgrade will include 8MP rear camera, up from 5MP, and larger aperture. Lens module ASP will rise 10-20% on this optics spec upgrade.
This move could be interesting, since the tablets aren’t really used for photography as much as the iPhone, so using a decent 5 MP camera was just satisfactory. However, improving the camera with the latest technology introduced during the iPhone event could help iPad users to take better pictures. This could be start of “iPadeography”? I think not. But still, you could use the gadget you have in your hand to capture that moment of joy.
