iPad 5 to Be 'Thinner and Lighter' Using iPad Mini Screen Technology - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPad 5 to Be 'Thinner and Lighter' Using iPad Mini Screen Technology

by

While a prediction that the next-generation iPad will be thinner and lighter than the current one may not seem an overly ambitious one, Digitimes claims to have details, suggesting that the iPad 5 will borrow the G/F2 (DITO) thin-film type touch screen technology used on the iPad mini.

ipad5
Digitimes cited an un-named industry source as reporting that the screens would use a similar mix of suppliers to the iPad mini screen.

The supply chain for Apple's next-generation 9.7-inch iPad will be similar to the iPad mini's, with Japan-based Nitto expected to supply thin-film materials and Nissha Printing touch screen modules, noted the sources. Taiwan-based TPK will be responsible for the device's lamination while LG Display (LGD) and Sharp will provide panels.

The DITO thin-film technology is believed to have been behind supply constraints on the iPad mini, but these issues have now been solved, claims Digitimes.

Just last week, iLounge shared details on the fifth-generation iPad, noting that it would be smaller in every dimension than the current model and suggesting that a change to the display technology would be necessary to achieve that reduction.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

173 months ago
The one thing Apple is making thinner and lighter as of late is my retirement account balance. :eek:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xenomorph Avatar
173 months ago
'Thinner and Lighter'

This is the same story every month.... "The next Apple device, no matter which one we speak of will be..... WAIT FOR IT !!!!...... 'Thinner and Lighter'

We can all rest easy now, knowing what the future holds for us

The iPad 3 & 4 went with a more bulkier, heavier design.

iPad 2: 8.8 mm thick, 601 grams weight

iPad 3/4: 9.4 mm thick, 652 grams weight

So they certainly could make the iPad 5 "thinner and lighter" - and put it back at the iPad 2's specs.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nitrocide Avatar
173 months ago
'Thinner and Lighter'

This is the same story every month.... "The next Apple device, no matter which one we speak of will be..... WAIT FOR IT !!!!...... 'Thinner and Lighter'

We can all rest easy now, knowing what the future holds for us

However the iPad 3 was thicker and heavier than the iPad 2, just sayin!

----------

Except for the fact that the third iPad was thicker and heaver than the iPad 2. :rolleyes:

Aw man beat me to it :p
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
173 months ago
'Thinner and Lighter'

This is the same story every month.... "The next Apple device, no matter which one we speak of will be..... WAIT FOR IT !!!!...... 'Thinner and Lighter'

We can all rest easy now, knowing what the future holds for us

Except for the fact that the third iPad was thicker and heaver than the iPad 2. :rolleyes:
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
173 months ago
What else is new....?

'Thinner and Lighter'

This is the same story every month.... "The next Apple device, no matter which one we speak of will be..... WAIT FOR IT !!!!...... 'Thinner and Lighter'

We can all rest easy now, knowing what the future holds for us
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
173 months ago
I seriously am getting tired of this garbage from Apple. I love my iPad, don't get me wrong, but the iPad 5 needs to do something revolutionary.

Like what? What does the iPad need so desperately? It's a tablet; It has a (damn good) screen, cameras, a processor, storage, and RAM. This device has only been on the market for 3 years. Saying that it needs a revolutionary change implies that the iPad is failing -- which we all know is not the case.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPad A16 Colors

Here's When to Expect an iPad 12 With Apple Intelligence

Friday May 1, 2026 8:21 am PDT by
A new entry-level iPad 12 with Apple Intelligence support likely remains months away, based on a comment shared by an Apple executive this week. On an earnings call on Thursday, Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh said that the company's iPad revenue in the March-June quarter will face a "difficult compare" due to the the launch of the entry-level iPad 11 with the A16 chip in March 2025. Parekh is...
ipad blue

It's a Bad Time to Buy the Low-Cost iPad

Thursday May 14, 2026 2:12 pm PDT by
Apple's iPad that's just an iPad with no Air or Pro attached is its most appealing tablet because of the affordable starting $349 price tag, but if you've been thinking about buying one, you should wait. Apple refreshed the iPad in March 2025, so it's over a year old. That's reason enough not to buy when there's a new model on the horizon, but this year, there's even more to lose by...
Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Apple Card Promo to Offer Free AirPods Pro 3

Friday May 15, 2026 8:59 am PDT by
Starting as early as next week, customers who sign up for an Apple Card at Apple's retail stores in the U.S. will receive $249 cash back when they purchase AirPods Pro 3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The promotion has yet to be officially announced by Apple, so exact terms and conditions are not available at this time. AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 in the U.S., so customers who...