5th Generation iPad to Begin Production in July-August

DigiTimes claims that Apple will begin volume production of the 5th generation iPad in July-August 2013. The timeline reportedly comes from sources in Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

macrumors-ipad5aMockup of 5th Generation iPad next to an iPad mini

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.

The new iPad is believed to be "thinner and lighter" than the currently shipping full-sized iPad. The 5th Generation iPad is also believed to take on the same thin-bezel design as the iPad mini. The above mockup is based on leaked iPad 5 enclosures from early this year.

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Reportedly Plans to Unveil at Least Five New Products Next Week

Sunday February 22, 2026 9:48 am PST by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple will have a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4. In total, he expects Apple to introduce "at least five products." Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. A week ago, Apple invited selected journalists and content creators to an "Apple Experience" in...
tim cook data privacy day

Tim Cook Warned by CIA That China Could Move on Taiwan by 2027

Tuesday February 24, 2026 4:03 am PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook was among a handful of top tech executives who attended a classified CIA briefing warning that China could attack Taiwan by 2027, according to a sweeping investigative report by The New York Times ($). The previously unreported briefing was apparently held in a secure room in Silicon Valley in July 2023. The meeting is said to have been arranged at the request of the...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3.1 Update for iPhones Coming Soon as 'Apple Experience' Nears

Sunday February 22, 2026 5:29 pm PST by
Apple's software engineers are testing iOS 26.3.1, according to the MacRumors visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. iOS 26.3.1 should be a minor update that fixes bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, and it will likely be released within the next two weeks. Last month, Apple released iOS 26.2.1 with bug fixes and support for the second-generation...

Top Rated Comments

Santabean2000 Avatar
168 months ago
MacRumors still quoting Digitimes..? Why???:confused:
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisTX Avatar
168 months ago
I always looked forward to purchasing a new iPad this time of year. I'm not a fan of Apples entire product portfolio being released in the fall. :cool:
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dades Avatar
168 months ago
But, again, if all they'll do is make it thinner and lighter and give it a slate back than I really don't bother waiting 1/2 years. It's all the same
Yeah, I'm going to hold on for the fatter and heavier model in 2014.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
168 months ago
Been waiting all year. Apple's successfully "mixed it up" regarding expectations of any products.

And last year everyone mocked the secrecy thing. I haven't seen too many rumors about the next iphone, either, or this thing's features aside from a new case.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
168 months ago
...which doesn't make a lot of sense given that the last truly new iPad was introduced one year ago. But, again, if all they'll do is make it thinner and lighter and give it a slate back than I really don't bother waiting 1/2 years. It's all the same

Complete redesign but its still all the same :confused:.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lancer Avatar
168 months ago
Call me when the next Mini goes on sale.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)