Apple executives have discussed changes to the iPad Air 4, including the “incredible feat of engineering” to add a Touch ID sensor to the power button.
Apple revealed its iPad Air 4 on Sept. 15. It was entirely released with an updated A14 Bionic chip and a design inspired by the iPad Pro line. It also has a larger 10.9-inch display compared to the previous Air series.
Aside from being a little larger, the iPad Air 4’s most significant difference from the previous release is its biometric alterations. Unlike the existing iPad Airs, the Touch ID of the 4th gen variant is moved from the now-gone Home button to the power button on the top.
Touch ID on the Power Button
The iPad Air 4 has a notable design upgrade over the iPad Air 3, thanks to a larger Liquid Retina display and thinner bezels. Also, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor is now integrated within the power button at the top. Apple developers call this rise an “incredible feat of engineering.”
Apple’s VP of Product Marketing Bob Borchers and VP of Hardware Engineering John Ternus appeared on the Same Brain podcast recently to discuss the current iPad lineup. The third-generation iPad Air also has Touch ID. However, it’s baked inside the Home button that’s not there on the new model.
Apple gloats about the Touch ID Power Button on the iPad Air 4 https://t.co/aROy4UaGTR
— PhoneArena (@PhoneArena) October 4, 2020
As reported by Phone Arena, the Apple executives explained that it was challenging to put the Touch ID sensor inside the power button. Aside from the narrow aspect ratio, it also hard for it to establish because they needed to make sure it didn’t interfere with the working of other components.
They clearly mentioned the cellular model’s top portion, which houses the antenna. This part of the iPad Air 4, as well as the Touch ID sensor, are both incredibly sensitive. Also, Apple needed to make sure that they worked concurrently without taking over each other.
Apple iPad Air 4 specs
The iPad Air 4 delivers modern design and the most speed ever in an iPad for under $600. It is said to be the next evolution of the non-pro tablet line.
It has a 10.9-inch edge-to-edge display, Touch ID in the power button, and a powerful A14 Bionic processor. It also adds support for the Magic Keyboard, second-generation Apple Pencil, and USB-C.
It brings pro-like power and design to the masses. The new iPad Air 4 has flat edges, similar to the third-generation and fourth-generation iPad Pro.
Images used courtesy of Apple/YouTube Screenshot.