Rumor: iPad 5 to feature mini-like design, iPhone 5S to look similar to current model

Temptation is so high when it comes to Apple’s upcoming  product line that we can not help but dig in and find the latest reports and pieces of news we can get our hand on in order to feed our hunger for information and details. This is how we have came across the very interesting report iLounge’s Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Horwitz has posted recently, where he provides accurate details on the star-topic of the last months, and we are speaking about the new iPad in particular and also about the already so rumored two upcoming iPhones to be released later on this year. When it comes to credibility, Horwitz is the man and he has constantly proved himself to be a trustworthy article writer, and we should mention his accuracy when it comes to the iPhone 5 in May, which pretty much indicated he knows what he is talking about.

Just to make sure we keep track and dissect his article from tip to toe in the most logical of manners, let’s start with the iPad 5 and his comments and analysis on the device. Firstly, he starts by stating he has had the privilege and chance to actually get his hands on a physical model of the overhauled iPad 5, which he presents as being a complete honor that didn’t lack intrigue on his side. Let’s put it this way – who wouldn’t be intrigued to get the chance to actually touch and examine an upcoming model of Apple? He traces this opportunity at the beginning of January, but because he still did not posses knowledge on what the actual release date would get to be or how complete the model actually was at that stage, then he chose to delay his release of a full article on the topic and gather more info in the meanwhile. One of the main reasons for which he decided to do so was also the state of the design of the iPad 5 at that time, which he mentions that it did not actually seem to be finalized, and suggested more work had to be performed on it.

Leaving its completion level at a side for the moment, I am sure you are all curious to hear what the details of his description on the physical model of the iPad 5 actually were. In terms of look and aspect, Horwitz highlights that it would not match our expectations of size and that the model is therefore much smaller than we would have pictured it, which seems great to me. But what does this mean exactly? Well think of a 9.7” screen that practically lacks any left or right bezels, and presents only “enough space above and below the screen to accommodate the mandatory camera and Home Button elements”. Going forward, Horwitz says we are in for a surprise when it comes to its thinness as well, which also comes as a total novelty, placing the new iPad 5 in a smaller category than his predecessors. On all fronts, Horwitz also mentions “the same chamfered edges and curves” as important characteristic features of this model, right before he puts his fingers on what is probably also the question popping up in your heads right now: all of these sound really cool, but “How will Apple accomplish it”, he asks himself.

Now that we have shed some light in what concerns the physical look and design, we need to move on to the second important element of the new iPad 5, and this is its performance. But Horwitz is not that hopeful when it comes to this, and he basically mentions that it should be no surprise to anybody if the new iPad 5 would mainly present the same properties of the fourth-generation model in terms of processing capabilities. Due to the new design, the new iPad 5 would actually rely on the newly improved screen and noticeable lower size and reduced weight to boost up the sales, and does not come with a great internal redesign as well. Reports on the timeframe for this release have differed along the last months and we don’t necessarily have a consensus on this, but if March was initially marked as its launching date, Horwitz mentions that speculations have geared towards the new date of October (roughly), but there is no confirmation as such and places this in the hands of speculation. What he does bring into the discussion in order to get closer to the actual date of the release by using accurate facts is that it would indeed take Apple a while to get the screens and processors for the new iPad. Moreover, he mentions that if they would indeed use IGZO as the screen technology inside the iPad 5, then they would have to get it from the Japanese Sharp company, and this would not be easy considering their recent financial and production difficulties. He actually places these as being one of the obstacles in Apple’s going forward with the release of the new iPad 5.

Now that we have mostly brought into your attention all the factors behind the iPad 5, let’s gear our attention towards the upcoming iPhone lineup, and see what spicy details Horwitz highlights. First of all, when it comes to its looks and aspect, he mentions that there will be a clear resemblance between the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5. What will indeed be a new feature in design is a larger rear flesh that we should be expecting to have in the iPhone 5S. The second star of the iPhone lineup for 2013 is rumored to be the new “low-cost” iPhone, featuring a plastic case, that is supposedly specially designed for and targeted to emerging markets like China. But there is some controversy revolving here as well and it is said that this cheaper iPhone would give a boost to underdeveloped countries to have a better growth.

But when it comes to the iPhone lineup for 2013, Horwitz also feeds some rumors regarding the so-called “iPhone Math” that you might have heard speculation on in the last months. He however does not confirm that this would be in the cards for 2013 and catalogues as secondary plan of action just in case the Android phone screen sizes take over the industry. Therefore, having these in mind, the “iPhone Math” is rumored to feature a 4.7” screen. We shall see if this becomes reality or if dimensions change.

And this last phrase basically applies to all the circulating rumors. We do not have any certainty whatsoever at this stage that all of the above shall indeed translate into real products or if the timeframes we mentioned shall indeed be the real ones. And even if they would all be true at this stage and we have nailed them, then we can’t also state that they shall be applicable to that day, as change is the motor of technology and progress or modifications can be brought to them at any given time, if necessary. This is why it would be better to wait for more proof until we can confirm it.

There is also the other side of the barricade as well and we need to obviously detect that a need for change has to be met. We would indeed like to get a smaller and thinner iPad – and Apple has surely sensed that the iPad 4 needs an overhaul in terms of exterior design, so if they did indeed come up with it for 2013 we would all embrace the change. Secondly, when it comes to the lower priced iPhone rumor, then we must admit we like this possibility too, or at least a lot of us do, and we would be very happy to see how these chances turn out to be in the end. We all like to speculate from time to time, but what’s more great is the speculations turning out into reality and being cooler than anticipated.

But Horwitz comes with another update later on after his initial post, and having gathered more evidence, he highlights a few aspects.

Firstly – let’s again start with the iPad 5 just to make sure we follow up correctly. Horwitz claims reliable sources have informed him that J72 would be the iPad 5′s code name, and that his predictions on the release date are actually valid, and that the actual launch of this product would be around the month of October, as he initially informed us.

Secondly, he brings the new iPhone 5S into discussion once more and mentions that this product has still not started to be in mass production, but is actually a few (good) months away from the process. But there are a few features he adds, and mentions that viable sources have confirmed that “the star feature will be an upgraded rear camera—perhaps featuring Sony’s 13-Megapixel sensor, plus the aforementioned flash upgrade—along with a processor bump. Current prototypes are code-named N51 and N53, with July mentioned as the target date.”

The third update is related to the second-generation iPad mini. There is also a code name for this product as well – and that is J85. Another similarity would be that the release of the second-generation iPad mini also revolves around the month of October. When it comes to its external and internal aspects, Horwitz mention that there is a general consensus that marks the same look and touch as the first-generation model. But there is also a difference – and that is marked by its featuring a Retina screen. But there is no consensus on a deeper analysis of details, and there is only speculation on this. It is therefore advisable to see what its detailed features actually are and when exactly the product shall be released.

All in all, I am really looking forward to see what of all of the above is actually going to be reality. Let’s be a little more patient and find out together. Shall you have any info on the topic you would like to share with us, do not hesitate to give us a shout and we will gladly look into it. 2013 is already here so our hunger and need for confirmation shall be soon rewarded.