DigiTimes says Apple will begin volume production of the fifth-generation iPad Sometime in July-August of this year. Their timeline is the result of conversations with Taiwan-based supply chain makers.
A July-August ramp up of production runs counter to many of the earlier rumors that had suggested the iPad launch as early as April.
While Apple’s traditional timeframe for iPad launches has been in the first few months of the year, last year saw two iPad launches — one in March, and one in November. The late 2012 release of the 4th Generation iPad may have altered that usual timetable.
As always, keep in mind that DigiTimes has a somewhat spotty record when it comes to predictions like this, and all rumors as such should be taken with the proverbial grain of salt.
The new iPad is rumored to be thinner and lighter than previous iPads, and is also believed to adopt the thinner bezel design seen in the iPad mini. The display for the new iPad will reportedly be produced by both LG Display and Sharp, and its touch panels are expected to come from TPK.
