Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPad 5 may make an appearance this fall, and the iPad mini 2 is expected later in the year, according to rumors. Compared to its predecessors, the iPad 5 may be leaner and lighter with advanced specifications. It may be priced around $620 to start.
Some of the photos leaked of the casing were published by PC Advisor, suggesting the gadget may be available in gold color, as well. Last year, the iPad 4 was launched towards the end of the year, which indicates that iPad 5 may launch this fall.
iPad 5’s Expected specifications
Most of the specifications of the iPad 5 that are making rounds are unofficial. According to rumors, the iPad 5 will have a 9.7 inch Retina display, similar to iPad 4. Rear camera is believed to be of higher megapixel with A7 processor and iOS 7 Operating System. There can also be a GPS receiver feature in the iPad packs. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPad 5 is expected to be thinner and lightweight, but, may have a bigger screen and a sharper display PPI.
There has been heightened excitement amongst the consumers and tech outlets regarding the next generation of iPhone. These outlets are expecting iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C to be launched in September, followed by the release of iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 in October or latest by November. Price may start from $600, but may vary depending on the Wifi and memory storage. The iPad 5 is suggested to offer memory options as high as 128GB.
Apple facing stiff competition from Android based tablets
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will have to work hard to reinstate itself as the number one tablet seller owing to heightened competition in China, where Android devices have taken over. According to Research Group in China, there has not been such iPad developed or designed by Apple that can command brand loyalty among the customers. On the other hand, devices based on Android and especially those of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) offer great features at an affordable price. Researchers in China feel that Apple can regain its lost position in China with the launch of iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.
Wacom, the unit behind the S-Pen technology is supposedly hired by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for the next generation of iPad. There are creative apps in Apple app market such as ArtRage and Psykopaint, which will gain more popularity by introducing a stylus into the accessories of iPads. Some of the rumors claim that pen might be available to U.S. users by October for about $100, and if the rumors turn out to be true, this will explain the delay in the launch of iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.
Users will have to live with the speculations, rumors and estimates over the pricing and specifications for few more months, until Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) officially comes out with the gadgets. Apple is seeing tough time against Android tablets; however, for a company like Apple with a dedicated fan base, it’s not a tough task to regain its position.
