Apple's WWDC 2018 event rumored to take place June 4-8

Mar 8, 2018 04:09 GMT  ·  By

The iPad Pro with Face ID rumor is in the spotlights again, this time with a possible release date. According to Jun Zhang, an analyst working for Rosenblatt Securities, Apple might unveil the new iPad during the upcoming WWDC 2018 developer conference.

In late January 2018, iHelpBR's Filipe Espósito revealed on Twitter a reference to a "Modern iPad" in Apple's upcoming iOS 11.3 operating system, which could mean the company plans to release a new iPad model, rumored by many to sport facial recognition capabilities through Face ID.

Of course, the Face ID technologies of the new iPad would be borrowed from the iPhone X, but we're keeping our fingers crossed for Apple not to release an iPad with a notch. Analyst Jun Zhang expects the new iPad Pro model to have slimmer bezels and come without a home button.

New iPad might be unveiled during WWDC 2018

According to Zhang, Apple could unveil the new iPad model with Face ID support during WWDC 2018 developer conference, which MacRumors suggests it might take place in early June, between the 4th and 8th, at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.

Last year, Apple released the iPad Pro during WWDC 2017, so they might do the same this year, especially that the community would love an iPad with Face ID capabilities. This year at WWDC 2018, Apple will also showcase its upcoming iOS 12, macOS 10.14, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5 operating systems.

As Apple is on track to reach its sales target of 5 million HomePod units, Zhang also said in his report that we might see a lower-end version of Apple’s "HomePod" smart speaker later in the year as the Cupertino-based company plans to invade the low-end smart speaker market too.

As for the iPhone X, Zhang said that he expects Apple to report iPhone sales of 50 million units in the March quarter and 38 million units in June as the smartphone continue to disappoint. He believes a Red variant of the iPhone X may keep iPhone sales on track for the rest of the year.

iPad Pro with Face ID mockup
iPad Pro with Face ID mockup

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iPad Pro with Face ID mockup
iPad Pro with Face ID mockup
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