Topic: iPad

New iPad 3 photos show that it's thicker than iPad 2 (Rumor)

Summary: New leaked photos purporting to be of the iPad 3 claims that it's 1-1.5mm thicker than the iPad 2. Another shot shows a larger camera hole supporting rumors of a high-resolution component.

By Jason D. O'Grady for The Apple Core | February 20, 2012 -- 19:26 GMT (11:26 PST)

Follow @jasonogrady

If you're planning on buying an iPad 3, don't expect to use your iPad 2 case with it. At least if new leaked photos of the iPad 3 bezel turn out to be real.

Rumor site M.I.C. Gadget has posted new pictures of what it claims to be the forthcoming iPad 3 bezel, compared side-by-side to the iPad 2 bezel.

One of the images (below) shows the best view yet of how the iPad 3 compares to iPad 2 thickness-wise. The site claims that the iPad 3 is 1.0 to 1.5 mm thicker than the iPad 2. It appears from the photo that Apple was able to gain space in the cavity of the iPad 3 by making the top glass thinner.

Another photo purports to show the iPad 3 camera hole which is clearly larger than the hole in the iPad 2, supporting rumors that it's being upgraded to a higher resolution component. M.I.C. Gadget notes that the new camera might not be 8MP because "production costs are too high."

Lastly, a shot from Chinese Weiphone forums claims that an Apple A5X system on a chip will be at the heart of the iPad 3. This varies from previous rumors of the iPad 3 will ship with an "A6" (quad-core) processor.

Update: MacRumors notes that a date code of "1146" can be seen stamped on the the A5X, indicating that it was manufactured in the 46th week of 2011, or November 14-20.

MacRumors calls the A5X a "step-wise upgrade to the A5." Its part number ("S5L8945X"), which was revealed by BGR in February, would support the incremental upgrade theory. The A4 was known to be the S5L8930X, the A5 as the S5L8940X and the new iPad processor is S5L8945X, with "45" suggesting only a 50 percent upgrade over the A5. Presumably an A6 processor would have a part number of S5L8950X -- if the current naming convention was followed. If true, this photo casts serious doubt on the the new SoC being a quad-core.

Apple's own branding of "A5X," suggest that it's more likely an enhanced version of the A5. Perhaps Apple will dub it the "A5 eXtreme?"

So, are you buying?

Topics: iPad, Mobility

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8 comments

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RE: New iPad 3 photos show that it's thicker than iPad 2 (Rumor)

Makes sense. More pixels to drive and more CPU power requires more energy.
And whatever magical Apple does, they still don't get to defy physics laws. More energy with Li-Ion batteries requires more space.

TheCyberKnight
20 February, 2012 19:57

Reply Vote
You know why don't we just wait and see?

How many times have I seen articles about Apple rumors that turn out to be dead wrong!?! I can't count them all. It's so very silly when in a few weeks we'll know for certain. Then the iHaters can jump in and slam what ever Apple made cause well it's Apple:)

Pagan jim

James Quinn
20 February, 2012 21:43

Reply Vote
RE: New iPad 3 photos show that it's thicker than iPad 2 (Rumor)

None of this matters. They will sell 16 trillion of them in the first minute. There are guys that probably haven't slept in days trying to figure out a way to pre pre-order it.

lippidp
20 February, 2012 22:24

Reply Vote
- Don't own a tablet...As of yet I can't think of a reason to get one.
  
  @lippidp ... I do however own a 27" iMac which I use as my home entertainment center. I have my XBox 360 attached to it. Play my music on it and watch movies and TV on it as well. Then there is my iPhone 4. So I do own some Apple stuff and have in the past as well. I also own some MS stuff and in the past I've owned a lot more.. Still haven't found anything appealing or interesting about Linux and or Android however. Just isn't my thing I guess. I'm interested in what Apple is doing with the iPad and in general all Apple's tech moves but not planning on getting one yet at least cause i have no idea what it will do for one which was my point originally.
  
  Pagan jim
  
  James Quinn
  20 February, 2012 22:36
  
  Reply Vote
  - RE: New iPad 3 photos show that it's thicker than iPad 2 (Rumor)
    
    @James Quinn
    Sorry. I must have gotten you mixed up with someone else. Will edit the original post.
    
    lippidp
    20 February, 2012 23:01
    
    Reply Vote
RE: New iPad 3 photos show that it's thicker than iPad 2 (Rumor)

It was reported a quite few months back (can't remember where) that the iPad 3 would be slightly thicker due to the new display.

As for the A5X vs the A6, it could be a power trade off due to the requirements of the new display or it could be that it is a slight increase in processor speed and a much larger bump in graphics speed. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple went the Dual Core route as it probably doesn't make sense to have a 4 Core processor at this time, though the improved graphics speed would be welcomed by game makers especially. After all, though, would anyone call the iPad2 particularly slow.

Am I buying? Well my iPad1 is getting a tad slow with some programs, so...probably.

A Grain of Salt
20 February, 2012 22:27

Reply Vote
- RE: New iPad 3 photos show that it's thicker than iPad 2 (Rumor)
  
  @A Grain of Salt
  Why not just add some RAM? Oh, wait, this is Apple we're talking about. Pony up the $600 sucker!
  
  lippidp
  20 February, 2012 23:05
  
  Reply Vote
- RE: New iPad 3 photos show that it's thicker than iPad 2 (Rumor)
  
  @A Grain of Salt: I also have an iPad 1 (16gb), which is getting a bit slow. The reason may be that I skimped on memory, so I plan to try a complete re-installation, with my music left out, so that the amount of free memory is more than 5-10%
  
  If that doesn't work then I'll be buying an iPad 3 this year!
  
  (This is a bit of a shame. If I take my iPad out of its case, you could hardly tell it wasn't brand new and the battery is still fine.)
  
  StandardPerson
  21 February, 2012 20:19
  
  Reply Vote