iPad 5 Specs, Features & Dimensions Rumored

New details from a reliable Apple analyst claim the iPad 5 will arrive sometime this fall with a new design that is 25% lighter and 15% thinner than the iPad 4, without sacrificing the 9.7-inch Retina Display.

Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities is a well-known Apple analyst with a good track record for predicting Apple’s moves and the features of upcoming devices. The next iPad will likely carry the official name of iPad fifth generation, but like the current iPad consumers are already shortening the name to iPad 5.

Kuo previously shared Apple may delay the iPad mini 2 release and this week he is back with information about the iPad 5 specs, dimensions and possible release timing.

MacRumors shares Kuo’s notes to investors, highlighting what we can expect from the iPad 5 when it arrives. Kuo doesn’t name an iPad 5 release date, but he does expect production to ramp up in August or September which would push the release into fall, possibly close to the iPad 4 launch in October. The holiday iPad release delivered a good quarter of sales for Apple.

iPad 5 Specs and Features – Rumored

In short, Kuo predicts the iPad 5 will deliver the best of the iPad mini while keeping the Retina Display of the iPad 4, though we may see a decrease in the battery size. It will be interesting to see if Apple can deliver the same 10 hour battery life promise on the iPad 5 if the company cuts the battery size dramatically.

Here are Kuo’s iPad 5 predictions;

• 7.5-8.0mm – 15% thinner than the iPad 4
• 500 grams – 25% lighter than the iPad 4
• 9.7-inch display with GF2 touch technology from the iPad mini
• Apple A7X processor
• 5MP rear camera, HD front camera, similar to the iPad 4
• Design similar to the iPad mini
• 8,500-9,000mAh battery – 25 to 30% smaller than the iPad 4

Recent rumors point to an iPad 5 display with a reduced size LED backlight with more efficient LEDs, which could help Apple reduce the size of the battery and the iPad 5 without sacrificing battery life. NPD DisplaySearch also backs up the switch to GF2 touch technology, a film based touch sensor which is thinner than that used in the iPad 4.

Kuo claims the iPad 5 will feature an Apple A7X processor, a bump up from the A6X processor in the iPad 4. While there are rumores that Apple is shifting production away from Samsung and that the Apple A7 chip will not come until 2014, Kuo claims Samsung will make the A7X chip which will arrive in an iPad this year.

The new claims from Kuo match up with alleged iPad 5 parts leaks, which show a slimmer front bezel and a smaller back panel, as well as with cases designed for the iPad 5.