Another set of rear-shell covers for the iPad 5 has allegedly leaked online.
Courtesy of the French website NoWhereElse, the new photos reportedly show the silver casing for the fifth-generation 9.7-inch Apple tablet.
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The silver casing for the alleged iPad 5 is similar to the current iteration on the 7.9-inch iPad mini. In fact, a photo is presented of the rumored iPad 5 rear-shell with one for the 7.9-inch iPad mini. It is uncertain if the 7.9-inch rear-shell casing belongs to the current iPad mini or for the second-generation tablet.
The images comes as The Wall Street Journal quoted sources who claimed Apple will use the same touch-panel technology as the iPad mini for the full-size iPad. During a teardown report, IHS iSuppli noted that 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.
To view the photos, click here.
The report coincides with a story from Bloomberg that noted Apple is preparing to launch a thinner 9.7-inch iPad. The report added that the iPad 5 might launch "in the last three months of the year."
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, meanwhile, projected the iPad 5 could get an early September release date. The analyst, via MacRumors, stated the iPad 5 will be the only Apple tablet released during 2013, implying the next iPad mini may see a 2014 debut, instead.
Apple is allegedly planning a special event for Sept. 10.
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.
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For the latest updates, follow Latinos Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO