What we think we know about the upcoming iPad 3 [reports and rumors]

What we think we know about the upcoming iPad 3 [reports and rumors]

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In a few days, wait for the launch of next generation of one of the world’s most popular piece of gadgets will finally be over. iPad 3 will be announced on March 7 in an event that will take place in San Francisco. The days before the launch of a new Apple product are the most exciting part of a year for the whole Apple community, which are filed with crazy rumors, leaks, and information from sources that are quoted as ‘familiar with the matter’. The launch of iPad 3 is no different from other Apple products, there have been countless rumors and speculation about the upcoming tablet. We have gathered all the information we found based on reports and rumors, that we think is most likely to be true about iPad 3 to give you an idea about what’s coming. Let’s get started.

1. Design

What we have been able to find out from most reports coming out from Chinese sites who have ‘reliable’ sources in Apple’s supply chain, iPad 3 will feature same or very similar design to iPad 2. Pictured above is an iPad 2, but don’t expect iPad 3 to look much different from the device in the image above. Apple introduced iPad 2 last year, which was dramatically thinner than the original iPad. Infact iPad 2 is so thin that you cannot expect a tablet to get much thinner than that. iPad 3 is said to have tapered edges and narrower bezel than iPad 2. If you have been waiting for a new design in iPad 3, better luck next time because it is not happening this year.

Related Post: iPad 3 shell in comparison with iPad 2: Tapered edges, narrower bezel, and more

2. Retina display

 

This is probably the most ‘confirmed rumor’ when it comes to iPad 3 news. Retina Display for iPad has been expected even before the release of iPad 2. Last year the magic didn’t happen, but this time rumors are pretty strong and many sites including MacRumors have laid their hands on this high resolution screen. I am pretty confident that the next iPad will have a Retina display screen with 2048×1536 resolution. Let’s hope for the best.

Related Posts: Real iPad 3 display goes under microscope. Retina Display confirmed and Retina Display size images found in Apple’s new iPad apps

3. Cameras

 

Cameras found on iPad 2 are not good enough, and if Apple wants to promote iPad as a picture taking and video recording device, then it has to add better camera at its back. Currently iPad sports a 0.7-megapixel camera at the back and a VGA camera at front. According to popular rumors, next generation iPad will feature a 8-megapixel rear camera, and a better front camera to allow HD quality video calling.

Related Post: Is this the real iPad 3 with a 8-Megapixel camera? [picture]

4. Home Button

 

Well this is a tough one, i personally want the Home Button to go but iPad 3 parts that have leaked from Apple’s supply chain suggest that that is not going to happen. The leaked front panels of the device still have the hole for home button intact. The talk and speculations about the removal of home button started when many publications received the event invitations for iPad 3 event. Gizmodo first posted and we followed about the possibility of removal of home button because it wasn’t visible in the invitation card. Perhaps the device was kept in landscape mode when the picture was taken, or someone at Apple wants to have fun with the press.

Related Post: Apple’s March 7 event invitation flashes iPad 3? [image]

5. Specs

 

iPad 3 is expected to have a major specs bump from iPad 2. The next gen iPad is expected to feature a Quad-Core processor or atleast a 1.5GHz Dual Core A5x chip. It is also expected to feature 1GB RAM, better cameras, wifi, bluetooth 4.0 and more. In the comparison table above, we have compared the specs of iPad 2 with rumored specs of iPad 3.

Related Posts: Photo of alleged iPad 3 logic board tells A5X could be the name of Apple’s new chip and Leaked images reveal next iPad will be LTE capable and powered by a Quad-Core processor

 

6. LTE 4G Network

 

The long wait for LTE in iPad might come to an end with the launch of iPad 3. If the rumors are true, iPad 3 will be the first ever iOS device to feature LTE 4G capabilities. iPad’s LTE 4G will work on all iPad offering carriers inside and outside of US.

While reporting on this news WSJ wrote:

Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. will sell a version of the coming iPad that runs on their newest fourth-generation wireless networks, according to people familiar with the matter, as the battle to cash in on big investments in mobile broadband heats up.

Related Post: WSJ: iPad 3 will be a 4G device on Verizon and AT&T

7. iOS 5.1

 

Apple released iOS 5.1 beta to developers a few months ago, and it has not released the final public version yet. This only suggests that iPad 3 will come loaded with iOS 5.1 and the software update for other devices will be released for public after the announcement. No new notable feature has been discovered in iOS 5.1, yet.

8. Pricing

 

Initially there were reports about Apple increasing the price of iPad 3 from its current offerings. But a few days ago, blog 9to5Mac posted an article suggesting that the prices of all iPad models will remain same and users will be able to buy iPad 3 according to iPad 2 rates above.

9. Launch event

 

Apple is holding its iPad 3 event on Wednesday, March 7. The event will take place in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Center for arts. The keynote for the event will start on 10:00AM PST, and of course we will be posting live updates here and on out Twitter account @thinkios.

Related Post: Official: Apple iPad 3 event to take place on March 7

Summary

 

iPad 3 will most likely feature:

  • Similar design as iPad 2 with tappered edges and narrower bezel.
  • Quad Core A6 or A5X 1.5GHz Dual-Core processor with 1GB RAM.
  • 8-Megapixel rear and better front cameras for HD video calling.
  • 9.7-inch Retina Display Screen with 2048×1536 resolution.
  • Home Button will remain intact in iPad 3.
  • LTE 4G capability on iPad offering carriers.
  • iOS 5.1 pre-installed on launch.
  • Pricing for iPad 3 will remain same as of iPad 2 for both WiFi and 3G (and 4G) models.
  • iPad 3 will be announced on March 7 at Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco.

 

Related Posts:

  1. Report: Apple has ordered 65 Million Retina Displays for upcoming iPad
  2. Apple announces iPad 3. Features Retina Display, Quad Core graphics, Better Cameras, LTE and more
  3. WSJ: iPad 3 will be a 4G device on Verizon and AT&T
  4. Photo of alleged iPad 3 logic board tells A5X could be the name of Apple’s new chip
  5. Official: Apple iPad 3 event to take place on March 7

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Tagged as:Apple, iPad, iPad 3, iPad HD, March 7, news, reports, rumors