Apple is expected to launch an iPad Air 2 later this year and some leaked images now claim to show the front panel of the device.
The rumor mill has been busy this week with Apple-related rumors and some interesting leaks suggest attractive iDevices for this year. After an alleged front panel for the purported iPhone 6 leaked online earlier this week, the next-generation iPad Air is now getting the same treatment.
Dutch site One More Thing shared a couple of images of the alleged iPad Air 2 front panel, showing some intriguing changes. The most notable change apparent from these photos is the seemingly integrated display, as opposed to the separate panel and display parts Apple used for the current iPad Air. This move is very interesting because using an integrated front panel/display would allow Apple to significantly reduce the overall thickness of the device. If Apple doesn't plan to make the next iPad Air even thinner, the extra space would allow the company to pack other parts such as a larger battery.
MacRumors reports having spoken to iFixit co-founder Kyle Wiens, who reckoned that this leaked assembly could be the real deal. If so, Apple could use a manufacturing process similar to that of the MacBook Pro with Retina display. On the other hand, moving to an integrated front panel/display would also increase repair costs, Wiens further told MacRumors. As the publication points out, however, Apple has never been too concerned with its devices' ease of repair. The company already uses an integrated display on its iPhone, and it wouldn't be much of a surprise if it decided to use the same process for its next-generation iPad Air as well.
While Apple has yet to confirm anything, the next iPad Air is expected to make its debut later this year, alongside a new-generation iPad Mini. Apple could unveil its 2014 iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina display sometime during the third quarter of this year, and the two upcoming tablets could also pack the Touch ID fingerprint scanner Apple introduced last year with its iPhone 5S. Until some official confirmation or more solid evidence becomes available, however, take everything with a grain of salt.
