Digitimes is reporting that Apple is on course for the September launch of its fifth-generation 9.7-inch iPad.
“..Upstream suppliers have mostly finished preparing for the production of the new 9.7-inch iPad, there is unlikely to be any changes in terms of specifications for the device,” Max Wang and Joseph Tsai report for Digitimes. “In addition to the Retina Display, the new tablet features a slimmer bezel design to allow a bigger viewing area, while the number of LED tubes used for the device has been reduced from two to one, and battery longevity is also improved.”
However, the Cupertino-based company is still undecided on whether the next-generation iPad mini will feature a Retina Display, according to the report.
“As for the new 7.9-inch iPad mini, the sources pointed out that Apple is still considering whether to adopt a Retina Display for the device, and if the company decides to do so, the product’s release may be delayed to the end of the fourth quarter,” Max Wang and Joseph Tsai explain. “Meanwhile, Apple has also been asking its upstream supply partners to further shrink the next-generation iPad mini’s bezel, aiming to push a bezel-less design similar to that of Samsung and HTC’s.”