5th Generation iPad to Begin Production in July-August - MacRumors
Skip to Content

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 Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Instagram Feature 2

PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8

Tuesday May 5, 2026 8:24 am PDT by
Instagram will remove end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users from May 8, 2026. When the date comes around, Meta will potentially be able to see the contents of all messages between users on the social media platform. Encrypting messages has been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but in March of this year the social media platform quietly updated a help page to say ...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...

Top Rated Comments

Santabean2000 Avatar
171 months ago
MacRumors still quoting Digitimes..? Why???:confused:
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ChrisTX Avatar
171 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
171 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)
171 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)
171 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
171 months ago
Call me when the next Mini goes on sale.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)