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iPad 5 Release Date: What Not to Expect

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With Apple’s fall iPad event all but confirmed for October 22nd, consumers have started to prepare for the inevitable release of Apple’s new iPad lineup which is expected to include a new iPad mini 2 and a new full-sized iPad that is currently being dubbed, iPad 5. Ahead of the launch date and the iPad release date announcement, it’s time to take a close look at expectations in regard to the upcoming iPad 5 release date.

Last October, Apple took the stage in San Jose, California, at an old movie theater no less, to announce new iPads. The company surprised quite a few people, mainly iPad 3 owners, when it not only announced an iPad mini, a 7.9-inch version of the iPad, but a new iPad 4. Before last year, the company had stuck to old habits, namely, hosting an iPad launch in March.

In March of last year, it announced the iPad 3. In October, it replaced it with a new iPad that brought Sprint LTE, 128GB of storage, a new processor and the new Lightning dock standard that emerged with the iPhone 5. Much to the dismay of iPad 3 owners. Fortunately, for iPad 4 users, Apple has waited a year before delivering a new full-sized iPad. And from the looks of things, the iPad 5 is going to be vastly different than the previous two models.

iPad 5 rumors have converged in recent weeks and they depict a 9.7-inch iPad with Retina Display, only, with a new design. Leaks suggest that the device will feature a design in the style of the iPad mini, complete with anodized aluminum back and thinner bezels up front. It’s also thought to be lighter and thinner than the iPad 4, something that would make it more portable. Rumors also suggest that it could have a fingerprint reader on board for added security, just like the iPhone 5s.

Things will come to a head on October 22nd when the company is expected to take the stage, somewhere in California, and announce the new iPads. And it’s there, that we will finally find out when the company plans to release both the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.

Here, ahead of the iPad 5 release date, we take a close look at what consumers should not expect from the big day when it arrives.

iPad 5 Release Date Beyond Early November

With the iPad 5 launch date virtually set in stone for October 22nd, iPad 5 buyers should have a release date in no time. That’s because, Apple always delivers a concrete release date for its products at these launch events. Don’t expect that to change this year as Apple looks to entice buyers before the holiday shopping season kicks off.

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Apple also historically has released products in and around 10 days after their launch date, meaning, iPad 5 buyers will want to narrow their focus to a stretch of two weeks in late October and early November when it comes to an iPad 5 release date. We think that November 1st has a nice ring to it. It’s 10 days after the event and it falls on a Friday.

While that may or may not take place, iPad 5 buyers should not expect the iPad 5 release date to miss the late part of October or the early part of November. Apple never announces things before it’s ready which means that we should see a release of the iPad take place shortly after launch. Don’t expect anything different this year.

Different Day Than iPad mini 2 Release Date

Apple also typically releases its new iPhone and iPad hardware on the same day. In the case of the iPad 4 and the iPad mini, they were made available at the same time, on the same date. The iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c release dates fell on the same date as well. Don’t expect things to change with the iPad mini 2 and the iPad 5.

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If there is a pre-order for both, don’t expect orders to start on different days at different times. They will likely both start on the same day at midnight Pacific Standard Time. They will also likely both go on sale, in-stores, on the same day with stores opening up early. If there isn’t a pre-order, expect them to go on sale at midnight that day.

Zero Release Date Issues

Don’t expect this to be a flawless release. While Apple does a fantastic job of relaying information to its consumers, demand, short supply, badly managed websites and more often present roadblocks for those that are attempting to secure an Apple product in the early goings. It has happened to the iPad, it has happened to the iPhone. Here are three major issues that buyers might face.

Ordering Issues

The iPad mini 2 and the iPad 5 will likely go on sale at the same time, both online and in-stores. While we didn’t see websites crumble last year, we expect demand for the iPad mini 2 with Retina and iPad 5 with a redesign to be high this year.

 

Based on history, when there is high demand, Apple’s site and carrier sites crumble under the pressure. Things were a little better with the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c launch, but buyers still ran into various problems. Don’t expect things to be flawless online.

Supply Issues

Don’t expect the iPad 5 to be readily available across the board on release day. While we don’t foresee issues on par with the iPad mini 2, which has already been rumored to be in short supply, information that may have been leaked to temper buyer expectations, we do expect some of the iPad 5 models to sell out on day one.

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16GB and 32GB models are likely going to be the most popular and we could see shipping times on those get pushed back almost immediately. We also could see uneven stock at Apple Stores and various retailers. Stores typically get different shipments so we could see stores sell out of one variant extremely quick while having stock of another widely available.

iOS 7 Issues

We don’t expect the iPad 5 release date to go without numerous complaints about iOS 7. Whether it’s battery issues out of the box, lag, Wi-Fi issues, log in problems or various other bugs, Apple’s discussion forums will likely be rife with complaints from brand new iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 owners who will surely be using iOS 7 right off the bat.

Here are 25 more hidden iOS 7 features for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Here are 25 more hidden iOS 7 features for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Apple is expected to release a new iOS 7 update between now and the iPad 5 launch that could shore up some of the problems, but we still expect users to encounter issues with the new OS on day one. Fortunately, many of those issues will have simple solutions.

Lack of Accessories

Finally, don’t expect the iPad 5 release date to be void of a wide selection of accessories. While we aren’t sure what Apple has in store for buyers, we do know that the company released a case for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. We also know that the iPad 5 is going to be coming with a new design that may require a new smart cover. So, it could be that Apple introduces at least one new accessory at the launch event. If it does, don’t expect it to be absent on the iPad 5’s release date.

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Buyers should also see other non-Apple accessories on sale in and around the release date though a majority of the accessories will likely come in the weeks after the iPad 5’s release.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Larry

    10/10/2013 at 6:27 pm

    Hopefully nothing?? no launch!! shouldn’t they fix iOS 7 and iPhone 5S first?? Just goes to show they are not for the buyer just there profits!! They should planned this out, I would wait longer for a launch for a product to perform we’ll not rushed and have a glitchy product!! Quality over quantity!!!!!!!! Learn that Tim cook!! Steve jobs would!!

    • Ankit Nanda

      10/10/2013 at 8:49 pm

      Yeah, I somewhat agree. Over time, I’ve come to suspect a rather haughty vibe at Apple Stores. Much like the Starbucks where these bums who’ve barely graduated colleges with a communications degree act like they are giving an addicted junkie his doze. Not cool.

      • Apple to go

        10/10/2013 at 8:59 pm

        Thanks that funny you mention Starbucks that’s just like apple store vibe, apple is for there profit not us!! Our hard earned money but there easy made cash for a lousy I device, glad I returned mine at the apple store with a smile letting them know there product sucks and they don’t like it

    • karl

      10/11/2013 at 6:54 am

      ios 7 isn’t broken by any means. Though, on older tech it runs a little slow. Perhaps you’re in need of an upgrade? I don’t worship Apple, but they do deliver excellent products, and ios 7 happens to be one of them. Also of note, iOS upgrades are free, come with many new features that are easy to adopt and generally make your machine run better.

    • Andy

      10/11/2013 at 11:59 pm

      It’s actually keeping to schedule, idiot, 1 ipad per year duh!!!!! The ipad 3-4 was different because they wanted to update the ipad to have a lightning connector.

  2. nicknowsky

    10/13/2013 at 7:56 pm

    In depth article…I dunno bout everything there..I’m sure they’re gonna have a boat load of iPad 5 ready on release day…each year that passes the craze becomes less and less. I’m sure I will be able to walk into Best Buy and grab one on the 22nd or release day…I have a feeling it’s gonna be ready the 23rd

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