iPad 5

Apple will introduce a high resolution Retina iPad mini and a thinner, lighter version of the standard 9.7-inch iPad during its Tuesday event, reports The Wall Street Journal, confirming months of product leaks and rumors.

Apple is now readying a revamped iPad Mini with a high-resolution “retina” display. It’s also working on a thinner, lighter version of its standard 9.7-inch iPad, using a thin film instead of the glass found in existing models, based on information from the company’s parts suppliers.

While a fifth-generation iPad with thinner side bezels and an overall smaller size has been widely expected, the release of the Retina iPad mini has been less certain, givenmultiple reports in the last few weeks suggesting serious supply chain issues.

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Rendering of the fifth-generation iPad between iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad
It was unclear whether the Retina iPad mini would be ready for Tuesday’s announcements, but in addition to The Wall Street Journal, two reliable sources, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and AllThingsD, have also indicated that the Retina iPad mini will make its debut on October 22.

Alongside a Retina screen, the iPad mini is expected to include an A7 processor, while the full-sized iPad will offer an A7X processor. Both iPads will include upgraded cameras, and could also offer Apple’s new M7 motion tracking chip. AllThingsD has also indicated that Haswell MacBook Pros will be unveiled during the event.

Finally, I’m told we’re likely to see a slate of new MacBook Pros upgraded with Intel’s latest Haswell processors. Apple brought Haswell to its MacBook Airs earlier this year, giving them a nice boost in battery life and graphics. It has been expected to do the same for its professional laptops ever since. Tuesday should see the announcement of that move.

Aside from the iPads and the Haswell MacBook Pros, Apple is expected to announce a number of other hardware and software products, including Mavericks, revampedversions of iLife and iWork for both Mac and iOS, the redesigned Mac Pro, and possibly a new display to go with it. A minor update to the Apple TV may also be included, and it’s possible that the Mac mini could be updated as well.

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While numerous leaks have shown that the next-generation iPad will be adopting smaller form factor based on that of the iPad mini, a new piece of evidence pointing to a launch in the relatively near future has surfaced in the form of a video from Unbox Therapy showing new Smart Covers in a variety of colors designed to fit the new form factor.

The video shows the new Smart Covers in gray, black, red, pink, orange, blue, white, and green. The video also shows the new Smart Covers attached to a fifth-generation iPad assembly of the rear shell and front panel, demonstrating how they fit the new design.

With the upcoming iPad measuring significantly narrower than the current-generation model, Apple will be shifting from the current four-panel Smart Cover to a three-panel design similar to that used for the iPad mini Smart Cover. As with existing Smart Cover products, the cover can be folded behind the iPad to act as a stand.

Apple is expected to launch its redesigned iPad and a Retina iPad mini in the near future, perhaps at a media event as soon as next month. Apple also has several updates to its Mac products still to come before the end of the year, and they may make an appearance at that same event.

Update: 9to5Mac has discovered that the alleged Smart Covers are actually being offered for sale on Chinese marketplace Alibaba for just $5 each, strongly suggesting that these are fake/knockoff Smart Covers not from Apple or its official suppliers.

Thinner iPad and Retina iPad Mini

iPad 5 Smart Covers Begin Surfacing in Multiple Colors