Apple's plans for the future are just about the talk of town, and it comes as no surprise that the next-generation iPad, or the iPad 5, has many excited. When it will make its debut is up in the air, although a new rumor suggests it will release in Q3 2013.
The third-quarter release date is suggested by Taiwan-based research firm Trendforce, and has not been confirmed by Apple.
A Q3 2013 release would mean a one-year life cycle for the iPad 4, which came out in fall 2012. Earlier this year, many analysts and tech industry speculators suggested that Apple would be ramping up its production cycle in order to give consumers more variety and more products in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Many believed, and still do, that Apple will release an iPad mini 2, an iPhone 5S, and the iPad 5 in the first half of 2013, and follow up with another lineup in time for the holiday season.
Just like the release date, the actual specs and design of the iPad 5 are still up in the air, although there are some features that should hold true when Apple unveils the tablet.
For starters, the iPad should be getting a design overhaul that will give it a form factor more in line with the iPad mini. This means thinner bezels, and an overall sleeker look. Whether or not Apple will offer the iPad in more colors remains to be seen.
The tablet will be keeping its trademark 9.7-inch size and Apple's Retina display, which is also believed to debut on the mini series with the iPad mini 2.
The question everyone is asking, however, is will consumers choose the full-sized iPad over an iPad mini, especially if the iPad mini 2 comes with a Retina display and is cheaper and more mobile-friendly? We'll have to wait and see what the market says about that, but in the meantime, what do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Thanks to: BGR
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