Report: iPad 5 Production to Kick Off in July/August

Apple’s manufacturing partners will reportedly begin production of the fifth-generation iPad in July or August, DigiTimes said on Tuesday. Partners include TPK, LG, Sharp, Teijin and Nitto Denko. Apple is also expected to announce its iPhone 5S during the same time period, so it’s possible that the products will hit the market at the same time.

We don’t know much about the iPad 5 yet, but we’re expecting the tablet to resemble a 9.7-inch version of the iPad mini and will pack more power than the fourth generation iPad. DigiTimes said the device will be thinner and lighter than the current model.

iPad 5 rumors have been scattered at best, however, so it’s unclear how legitimate this report is. The last time we covered the fifth generation iPad a rumor suggested it was going to launch in March. Still, Best Buy recently dropped the price of the iPad 3, which suggests Apple and Best Buy are starting to get rid of inventory to make room for a new model.