We have heard very few rumors of the next-generation iPad, but today DigiTimes has chimed in with a report that states volume production of the 5th-generation 9.7-inch iPad will start sometime in July or August. The information reportedly comes from sources within the Taiwan-based supply chain.
If the report is to be believed the 5th-generation iPad will be thinner and lighter than the previous generation and will feature a slim bezel design, similar to that of the iPad Mini. One concern that the fruit company apparently has at the moment is yield rates for key components such as the touch panels, which are expected to cause a bottleneck in production.
DigiTimes reports that “the new iPad’s display is expected to be supplied by LG Display and Sharp, while the touch panel assembly will be conducted by TPK and the ITO thin film supplied by Nitto Denko and Teijin.”
An old rendering of the 5th generation iPad from MacRumors against the iPad Mini and iPhone 5
It has been previously rumored that the 5th-generation iPad could be released as soon as April or as late as October, this particular report does not have mention of an official release date, but as volume production won’t likely start till July or August, April seems to be out of the question.
Would you like to see the 5th generation iPad feature a slim bezel design like the iPad Mini? Let us know in the comments section.