Next iPad may be slimmer, suppliers suggest

Slimmer and lighter may be among the most prominent features of Apple Inc.'s fifth-generation iPad which may hit store shelves in September, a tech site reported Tuesday.

 

A report on Taiwan-based DigiTimes cited sources in the supply chain who said trial production of the new 9.7-inch iPad will begin soon and volume production may start July.

 

"(T)he new display is built on a glass substrate of 0.2mm, thinner than the 0.25mm one for the fourth-generation device, the sources said, adding the new table will has a narrow bezel," it said.

 

Despite the thinner dimensions, the display will still be a 2048 x 1536 high-resolution Retina display, matching that of the fourth-generation model.

 

The display of the new iPad, which will hit market shelves as early as September, 

 

Also, it noted the touch panel for the new iPad is GF2, including one layer of glass and two layers of ITO film, instead of G/G bonding in the fourth-generation iPad.

 

Meanwhile, the fifth-generation iPad may be 25 to 33 percent lighter than the fourth-generation one, the sources indicated.

 

DigiTimes added the new iPad will use one LED light bar for backlighting, compared to two in the fourth-generation iPad.

 

"LG Display, Samsung Display and Sharp are expected to be the suppliers of display panels for the 5th-generation iPad, while Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology will undertake SMT for the LED light bars," it said.

 

It added Radiant Opto-Electronics and Coretronic may supply the backlight units and TPK Holding for touch panel bonding.

 

DigiTimes said its sources expect monthly shipments ramping up to two to three million units in September. — TJD, GMA News