Apple is set to launch its first touchscreen device without a Home button, and it’s not the iPhone 8

Apple is bound to set another company milestone. The tech giant is reportedly developing its first touchscreen device that will not be including a Home button. And no, it’s not the iPhone 8.

According to the latest reports, Apple is currently into the development of the new iPad and the company plans to get rid of its new tablet’s home button. If this pushes through, the iPad will be the first touch-enabled Apple device to have such feature. Previous reports have stated that the removal of the Home button was initially planned for the future iPhone 8.

The forthcoming 10.9-inch iPad is said to be the bearer of the new feature. According to Macotakara, the new iPad’s front-facing camera will be retained but the unlock button will not be present at the foot of the display. The removal of the Home button shall significantly enlarge the screen size, which could match that of the present 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

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Apple is also supposedly planning to reduce the size of the top and side buttons of the new iPad as well. It is likewise projected that the Cupertino-based company will make the new tablet as thick as the iPad Air 2 to create space for its battery. While Apple is likely to continue the production of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro together with the new 10.9-inch iPad, the tech giant is expected to lower the price of its current device to compete with more affordable Android tablets.

The new iPad, which is due to be announced early next year, is expected to target business and education sectors that consider the current 9.7-inch iPad model as too small and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro as too expensive. According to recent reports, none of the new iPads will equip OLED displays. Apple is expected to use screen advancements to enhance the 2018 iPad models instead.