A new report from the not-so-reliable Digitimes has surfaced today revealing that mass production of the new 9.7-inch iPad, or iPad 5 if you prefer, will begin in July/August with initial availability reaching 5 million units by Q3 2013.
Its characteristics will be the new design which, as we have mentioned many times, is expected to follow that of the iPad Mini and a reduction in its weight by 20% to 30%.
he next-generation 9.7-inch iPad is expected to adopt a thin-film-type touch panel solution to reduce its weight by 20-30% and will adopt a slim bezel design to increase the display area. The new iPad's industrial design will reportedly also be modified, the sources said.
The same source reports that the second-generation iPad Mini will see a production delay, which will likely start in November, despite rumors that Apple would start it in September. Many even argue that this delay has to do with the fact that the iPad Mini, being available almost simultaneously with the iPad 4 last time, was responsible for the reduced sales of the latter. So Apple does not want to repeat the same mistake by releasing the 2 models on the market this time with a time difference in the hope of boosting sales of the 9.7-inch iPad.
As for the second-generation iPad mini, some market watchers believe the delay is because 9.7-inch iPad sales were seriously impacted by iPad mini in 2012, and so to avoid the situation from happening again, Apple has turned its product focus for 2013 to the new 9.7-inch iPad. However, some market watchers believe the delay is due to the supply chain being unable to meet the mass-production schedule.
Dimitrios Georgoulas @ GreekAppleNews
