by The launch of the iPad (2022) marks the first time we’ve seen a unified design across Apple’s entire tablet lineup in four years. The entry-level iPad 2022 model gains the nearly frameless design of its more expensive siblings and also marks the next big step in the ultimate death of Apple’s Lightning port by bringing USB-C to the entire iPad family.
While the iPad was known for nearly eight years for its iconic design that featured wide bezels and a home button front and center, Apple changed the game when it released a new pair of iPad Pro models in the fall of 2018. At least Partly following in the footsteps of the 2017 iPhone X, the new iPad Pro lineup adopted an edge-to-edge display design, ditching the home button and adopting Face ID authentication. Although the bezels have been drastically reduced from previous iPad models, the larger size of Apple’s tablets allowed the company to leave enough room for the True Depth camera system needed to handle Face ID without resorting to a screen with notches.
The new iPad Pro duo also featured a new flat-edged design that would herald things to come. Two years after its debut in the iPad Pro, Apple brought the aesthetic to the iPhone 12 lineup and a fourth-generation iPad Air, followed by the sixth-generation iPad mini in 2021. With this year’s 10th-generation iPad, the circle is now complete.
Can I use Face ID on iPad (2022)?
With a bezel-less design and no home buttons, the new iPad 2022 immediately begs the question of whether Apple has brought Face ID to its most affordable tablet yet. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is a resounding no.
One of the most notable design changes to the new iPad is the position of the front-facing camera, which is now on the long edge of the tablet, a position much more suitable for using the iPad in landscape orientation. The new camera placement made some people hope that Apple would have used the extra space for a True Depth camera system.
Sadly, its placement is the only noticeable difference in camera technology from the previous model. Apple calls it an “ultrawide landscape camera,” but that appears to be largely a marketing twist, as the camera specs are identical to those found on last year’s iPad. The iPad (2022) wins Smart HDR 3, but that’s a function of Apple’s more powerful A14 chip, not the camera itself.
The lack of Face ID shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Apple has now released two generations of iPad Air that feature a nearly identical design to the iPad Pro, with the latest model even packing the same M1 chip that was previously exclusive to the iPad Pro. However, even the latest iPad Air lacks support for FaceID.
It’s pretty clear that Apple considers Face ID to be a feature exclusive to the iPad Pro line. It’s been available on every iPad Pro released since late 2018, that’s four new generations of Apple’s line of high-end tablets. However, it remains conspicuously absent on any other iPad.
By all accounts, the True Depth camera hardware that powers Face ID isn’t cheap, so it’s an understandable omission, particularly on Apple’s entry-level iPad. However, it’s also a way for Apple to distinguish its flagship iPad Pro from the rest of the lineup.
What biometric options are available on iPad (2022)?
Thankfully, Apple hasn’t left fans of its budget iPad without any biometric authentication method. Its tried and true Touch ID system remains. Since the home button on the front is gone, Apple simply moved the Touch ID sensor to the top button.
This is exactly what happened with the iPad Air (2022) and iPad mini (2021). Both mid-range tablets featured the traditional front-facing home button before receiving the new design, but since Apple was unwilling to bring Face ID to those models, it had to find a new home for the Touch ID sensor. The top button was the most logical place.
Touch ID works on iPad 2022 just as it did on the last model; only the position of the sensor has changed. You’ll still be able to use your fingerprint to unlock your iPad, access secure apps, and authorize Apple Pay payments and in-app purchases.
The sensor placement can be a bit more awkward for some people, especially if you’re using a keyboard with your iPad, and it definitely takes more effort than using Face ID. However, Apple has been using a top-button Touch ID sensor in its iPads for two years now, so it’s proven technology and there’s no reason to believe it won’t work as well as ever.
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