Apple's iPad 5 will resemble the 7.9-inch iPad mini tablet, according to a new report.
While production is allegedly underway, The Wall Street Journal quoted sources who claimed Apple will use the same touch-panel technology seen on the iPad mini for the full-size iPad.
Follow the latest Tech news on Twitter: @LatinosPostTech
As noted by IHS iSuppli during a teardown report, the iPad mini utilizes a film-based touch panel that is lighter and thinner than the glass-based touch panel on the current iPad 4.
DisplaySearch analyst Shoko Oi stated that the opportunity of using a film-based touch panel is starting to become more appealing for manufactures and vendors. Oi added that the film material has its technical advantages over glass-based touch panels.
The report coincides with a story from Bloomberg that also noted Apple is preparing to launch a thinner 9.7-inch iPad. The report noted the iPad 5 might launch "in the last three months of the year."
As Latinos Post reported, Apple is facing tougher tablet competition as its market share is down considerably when comparing the second quarter of 2013 to the same period last year. Based on the International Data Corporation's (IDC) figures, Apple finished the second quarter this year with 32.4 percent of the market share, which is down from 2012's 60.3 percent.
The IDC figures showed Samsung and ASUS gaining momentum in the tablet market, most notably Samsung. The South Korean-based organization accounted for 18 percent of the 2013 second-quarter market share, up from the 7.6 percent seen during the same period in 2012.
Apple declined to comment on the report.
__
For the latest updates, follow Latinos Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO