Design of GoPro Hero 8 successor leaks ahead of likely Q4 2020 release

It has been a few months since the FCC published documents about a new GoPro camera, with the certification agency revealing multiple details about a device bearing the model number SPBL1. Thought to be arriving before November for anywhere from US$399.99 to US$499.99, FCC documentation hinted that GoPro may release a camera with dual-screens.

Now, a photo supposedly of the front of the GoPro Hero 9 has been published online. Unsurprisingly, the picture has drawn a lot of discussion on the r/gopro subreddit, where fans of the action cameras have been debating what changes GoPro may have made for this year's model.

The main talking point has been around the larger aperture where the monochrome display is on the Hero 8. Some have suggested that this could be for a secondary display, which would be in line with the information that the FCC published in May. Conversely, some people have pointed out that the presence of a larger aperture does not necessarily mean that GoPro will include an LCD panel on the front of the Hero 9.

There is also a slit above the possible display aperture, which is thought to be for a status LED. If GoPro includes a secondary display in the Hero 9, then we would question whether the company will continue to sell the Media Mod going forwards. Effectively, the Media Mod acts as a secondary display for the Hero 8, so it would become somewhat redundant if the Hero 9 already has one.