Is the fifth-generation iPad coming out in June? MiniSuit, a manufacturer of mobile accessories, thinks that the answer is yes.
The company is so convinced that Apple will release the iPad 5 in June that it is already investing in the production of a new case for the tablet. BusinessInsider has obtained the first image of the case, which could reveal the look, size and shape of the new tablet.
A representative from MiniSuit told BI that his company invests in tips regarding the release of future mobile products. He thinks the latest info he received is pretty accurate, hence the production of the iPad 5 case (and accompanying iPad Mini and iPad 4 cases) shown above.
If the June release is accurate, it would be Apple's third iPad upgrade in less than 18 months. The company surprised the world last fall when it released a slightly improved full-size iPad alongside the newly designed iPad Mini. That upgrade arrived seven months after the third-generation model.
Apple has yet to release individual sales figures for the iPad 4 or the iPad Mini. Prior to their release, the company sold 100 million tablets. Last quarter Apple another 22.9 million units. Thus, when Apple said that it sold more than 120 million iPads, one can assume that number came to 122.9 million.
Bloggers and analysts have estimated that the iPad Mini now accounts for at least 50 percent of all iPad sales. A report out of Taiwan estimates that the Mini accounts for 75 percent of all iPads sold.
This isn't necessarily a problem for Apple. As long as the company does not lose any sales to Google, Amazon, Samsung or Barnes & Noble, the company can continue to lead the tablet space.
However, if the iPad Mini takes over, Apple's margins will continue to drop. With consumer demands always rising (for Retina Displays, faster processors, more memory, etc.), it may be impossible to turn the iPad Mini into an equally profitable device.
While a number of smartphone manufacturers have made announcements at the 2013 Mobile World Congress this week, Apple has decided to stay on the sidelines. This is a common practice for the firm; instead of going head-to-head with the competition, the Mac maker prefers to hold its own press events.
It is not yet known when Apple will unveil its next product. If the iPad 5 is released in June, however, an event could come as soon as this May.
