While speculation of the next Apple tablet has been focused on the iPad mini 2, the regular sized tablet will reportedly go into production soon.
According to DigiTimes, sources from a Taiwan-based supply chain maker said the fifth generation of the 9.7-inch tablet will start its production cycle during the July or August months this year.
Development of the iPad 5, however, might not be as smooth as expected. The report added some key components, such as the touch panels, will provide a "major concern."
In comparison to the current iPad 4, otherwise known as the iPad with Retina Display, the iPad 5 is expected to be thinner and lighter along with adopting a slim bezel design similar to the iPad mini.
Assisting in the iPad 5's display will reportedly be LG Display and Sharp, while TPK will assemble the touch panel.
As Latinos Post reported, South Korea's ETNews stated Apple has cut Samsung from manufacturing components for their next tablet.
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Oh-hyun Kwon has said he's not concerned about the rumors of Apple cutting or limiting their role in the tablets' production.
"The orders can go up and down in the course of any business - some are sensitive about the issue, but I am not worried about it," said Kwon.
NDP DisplaySearch has projected Apple would ship 55 million iPad mini units during 2013. According to NDP DisplaySearch, the iPad mini's demand is eclipsing the 9.7-inch iPad. Initially, the regular-sized iPad was to sell 60 million units compared to the iPad mini's 40 million units. NDP DisplaySearch now believes the figures will reverse.
Overall, the tablet market is expected to sell 254 million units during 2013, up 94 million from the 160 million units sold in 2012.
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