14 DAY TRIAL // Sources in Apple’s supply chain are beginning to leak details pertaining to the fifth-generation full-size iPad, including the screen specifications, some design elements, and the launch date.
Quoted by DigiTimes (a Taiwanese publication with ties to Apple’s suppliers), these sources said Apple has ordered trial production of its “5th-generation 9.7-inch iPad” to begin soon.
According to the same people, “…volume production will begin in July, with monthly shipments ramping up to 2-3 million units in September.” Apple will launch the tablet around that time, the sources said.
The display will reportedly boast the same resolution as its predecessor, but it will be a little thinner and will only require one backlighting module, instead of two.
These adjustments alone will translate into an overall lighter tablet computer, and less power drain.
The sources estimated that Apple’s 5th-generation iPad is 25-33% lighter than the 4th-generation model.
The sources added that the new tablet would have “a narrow bezel,” which falls in line with rumors that Apple has redesigned its full-size iPad to look a lot more like the iPad mini.
The display suppliers are Samsung, Sharp, and LG, while Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology will install the LED light bars (produced by Radiant Opto-Electronics and Coretronic). TPK Holding will handle the touch panel bonding, according to the report.
Apple is also known to be preparing a second-generation iPad mini model, and while the details regarding this version of the tablet are a bit more scarce, the company is expected to introduce the iPad mini 2 alongside the larger iPad 5.
Analysts expect the second-gen iPad mini to incorporate a Retina display, to add with the feature parity between the different iPad lines, but some fear that the Retina iPad mini won’t arrive until next year.