iPad 5 Rumors: Production Set for July for 33 Percent Lighter Fifth-Generation Tablet with Same Retina Display

Initial production of the fifth-generation 9.7-inch Apple tablet will reportedly start this summer.

According to sources from a Taiwan supply chain, via DigiTimes, trial production will "begin soon" while volume production is set for July. The report noted the monthly shipments will increase between two and three million units by September.

Rumored features for the iPad 5 include the same Retina pixel display of 2,048x1,536, however, the display will be built on a 0.2mm glass, thinner than the 0.25mm display on the iPad 4.

In regards to the touch panel, the iPad 5 will reportedly have the GF2 solution, which is one layer of glass and two layers of ITO film. The alleged touch panel for the iPad 5 is a change from the G/G bonding seen on the iPad 4, also known as the iPad with Retina Display.

A further change is the LED light bar used to backlight the tablet. According to DigiTimes, the Taiwan sources claim the iPad 5 will only use one LED light bar instead of two, as seen on the iPad 4.

Overall, the upcoming tablet is expected to be 25 to 33 percent lighter than the fourth-generation Apple tablet.

LG Display, Samsung Display, and Sharp  are allegedly preparing the fifth-generation Apple tablet's display panels, while Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology will handle the SMT for the LED light bars. The source added that Radiant Opto-Electronics and Coretonic will coordinate the backlight units.

The iPad 5 is expected to launch in September.

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