iPad 5th Generation Model to Be 15 Percent Thinner, 25 Percent Lighter
The iPad 5th generation model will be 15 percent thinner and 25 percent lighter than the current model, according to a new report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
He expects mass production and shipments of the new iPad to ramp up in the August-September timeframe. He also stated that it will be 7.5-8.0mm, making it 15 percent thinner than the 4th generation Apple tablet.
"The new device will likely be about 500 grams, or some 25 percent lighter than iPad 4, run on an A7X processor, and sport cameras with similar specs to the iPad 4's (front HD, rear 5MP)," wrote Kuo in his report. "The casing shape and color (silver and black) and narrow bezel design will be similar to the iPad mini's."
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Apple will also adopt the same GF2 touch technology used in the iPad Mini, which will enable the company to design a thinner display for the new full-size iPad, according to Kuo's report. New and more efficient chip technologies are also expected to bring down the tablet's price.
"We therefore think that iPad 5's battery capacity will be 25-30 percent smaller, at 8,500-9,000mAh, than iPad 4's, and the battery's thickness will be 15-20 percent smaller, at 7.5-8.0mm, and the number of cells will be reduced to two from three," wrote Kuo.
The A7X chip will take advantage of Samsung's 28-nanometer process node. This contradicts previous reports which state that Apple will shift most of its chip production to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Kuo believes that shift will occur later on down the line.
Apple is expected to release both a new full size iPad and the second-generation iPad Mini which is rumored to feature a Retina display.
