According to a report last week from 9to5Mac, the new 9.7in iPad on the horizon is not the iPad Air 3, but rather a smaller version of the iPad Pro – complete with Apple accessory support. But it could be more Pro than the larger Pro in one regard.

That very same publication now reports that Apple plans to outfit the smaller iPad Pro with a better back camera than the larger tablet, tossing in the same kind of 12-megapixel rear sensor as seen on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The larger iPad Pro has an 8-megapixel camera like the older iPhone 6, meanwhile.

Why the camera upgrade? Well, besides the extra few months since the larger Pro’s release, the smaller version is more likely to be used as a portable camera for out-and-about snapshots. Much as we might groan at seeing tourists pull out an iPad at a museum or other hotspot, people want to have strong photos on their tablets as well. And this would finally put an iPad on par with a current flagship iPhone, complete with the ability to shoot 4K video.

Besides the enhanced camera, 9to5Mac suggests that the 9.7in iPad Pro will feature the same A9X processor, four speaker grates, a Smart Connector for the Smart Keyboard attachment, and also support for the Apple Pencil stylus. The report says it should also have a brighter display with better glare resistance.

When will we see the new, smaller iPad Pro? Reports over the weekend suggested we’ll see it on 21 March, which is nearly a week later than previously expected, with Apple planning a smaller event to showcase that device and the 4in iPhone SE. If true, we’re only three weeks away from the debut of Apple’s next gadgets – stay tuned for more as we hear it.

Source: 9to5Mac