iPad 5 Cases with Mini-Inspired Designs Begin Hitting Chinese Marketplaces

MacRumors · Feb 25, 2013, 01:48 PM

Following the leak of several "iPad 5" cases late last week supporting claims that the device will take some design cues from the iPad mini to become significantly narrower and slightly shorter than the current models, AppleBitch notes that these cases and a several others are now available for order through multiple distributors on Chinese e-marketplace Alibaba.

All of the cases contain holes in the bottom edge designed to accommodate a Lightning connector and speaker grilles on either side of the connector, as seen on the iPad mini. The current full-size iPad design contains a single speaker grille on wrapping from the bottom edge around to the back side of the device.

One case design shows an open left edge, presumably to accommodate a Smart Cover hinge.

The cases also appear to show an extra hole at the top center of the rear of the device, and it is unclear exactly feature of the redesigned iPad the hole is intended to accommodate. The hole was initially thought to be for a microphone, which is currently located along the top edge of the iPad, but a hole in that location appears to still be present on these new cases, leaving the "extra" hole on the rear unaccounted for.

Leaks from case makers have in the past proven accurate on a number of occasions, including with the iPad mini, although companies have sometimes been fooled as was seen with the tapered iPhone design back in 2011. But with rumors, rear shell photos, and now cases all consistently pointing toward an iPad mini-like design for the fifth-generation iPad, evidence for a significant overhaul of the full-size iPad is becoming stronger.

Article Link: iPad 5 Cases with Mini-Inspired Designs Begin Hitting Chinese Marketplaces

Kebabselector · Feb 25, 2013, 01:49 PM

Haven't we been here before, just because there's a case doesn't mean a new device.

Nathan20 · Feb 25, 2013, 01:50 PM

Maybe the 2 holes are for 2 mics like the current iMacs

jaredpetersen · Feb 25, 2013, 01:51 PM

Couldn't it be for an LED to get it away from the lens?

0815 · 01:58 PM

And as every year (actually twice a year ... iPad and iPhone) some case manufactures take a bet based on rumors to have the first cases out and as most of the time they end up destroying what they manufactured since they listened to rumor sites and not having any reliable sources.

Really surprised that it is worth for the manufactures to take those gambles.

Peace · Feb 25, 2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan20

Maybe the 2 holes are for 2 mics like the current iMacs

The center hole could be for the microphone.

mac jones · Feb 25, 2013, 01:54 PM

I guess these cheap cases are really easy to knock off.

They probably make a few just in case they might sell. This way they can postpone selling their souls to the devil a little longer.

spacehog371 · Feb 25, 2013, 01:55 PM

The iPhone has a microphone on the back... I see no reason why they wouldn't do the same thing on the iPad.

Tankmaze · Feb 25, 2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

although companies have sometimes been fooled as was seen with the tapered iPhone design back in 2011.

yeah was gonna say this. so, the rumor is strong with this one...
personally I like the iPad mini design and it goes to show that apple is really the master of doing increment steps / updates in perfecting their designs.

Squilly · Feb 25, 2013, 01:59 PM

Maybe the new hole is for a centered camera or flash?

charlieegan3 · Feb 25, 2013, 02:01 PM

Launch day cases must be really big business. Every time.

TallManNY · Feb 25, 2013, 02:02 PM

Ooh. I'm excited. Could we see a new iPad as early as the end of March?

dampfnudel · Feb 25, 2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallManNY

Ooh. I'm excited. Could we see a new iPad as early as the end of March?

Well, some of us find it strange that Apple has nothing to release this spring. Maybe they will.

Agent-P · Feb 25, 2013, 02:22 PM

If Apple wanted to get really ridiculous, that extra hole could he for one of those wrist strap anchors like on the most recent iPod touch.

scupking · Feb 25, 2013, 02:22 PM

I think we will see an iPad 5 in March or Aprial! Probably with the same specs as the iPad 4.

chrisbru · Feb 25, 2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent-P

If Apple wanted to get really ridiculous, that extra hole could he for one of those wrist strap anchors like on the most recent iPod touch.

This would be very silly on a full-size iPad wouldn't it? Even the Mini would be super awkward to have hanging from your wrist haha.

7thson · Feb 25, 2013, 02:38 PM

I find it incredibly bizarre that there is an accessory for sale for a device that doesn't exist in the market place yet. Talk about putting the horse before the cart.

Fresh Pie · Feb 25, 2013, 02:40 PM

I ordered four; I just love protecting products that haven't actually been released.

Agent-P · Feb 25, 2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisbru

This would be very silly on a full-size iPad wouldn't it? Even the Mini would be super awkward to have hanging from your wrist haha.

Can't be any worse than someone using their iPad in public to take photos.

vazquez1085 · Feb 25, 2013, 02:49 PM

This kind of rumor really gets me excited..especially since I sold my 3rd gen on Friday I could use an upgrade and really dont want a 4 or a mini..bring on the 5!!

Jamo12 · Feb 25, 2013, 02:49 PM

I'd bet a small amount of money on the back hole being a cutout for a flash. Perfect round cutout. Mic hole on top is rectangular. Why make two different cutouts in the same product. Flash is nice and far away from the camera making zero chance of flash problems. It is smaller and lighter and using it as a camera is not as rediclious. May as well, plenty of space for it.

Yojimbo007 · Feb 25, 2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacehog371

The iPhone has a microphone on the back... I see no reason why they wouldn't do the same thing on the iPad.

Iphone mic in the back is for ambient noise canceling for cellular calls... Unless the new ipad is going to have the ability to make calls a mic in the back makes no sense!

Lancer · Feb 25, 2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kebabselector

Haven't we been here before, just because there's a case doesn't mean a new device.

I seem to remember about 2 years ago people selling iPhone 5 cases for the new design iPhone and it turned out we got the 4s. You'd be a fool to buy a case for the next iPad (or any product) before it's officially announced and released.

DCstewieG · Feb 25, 2013, 03:17 PM

Regardless of whether these are legit or not, it would be really nice for Apple to bring stereo sound to the iPad. When on its side, one on the left, one on the right. The iPad mini stereo speakers are laughable. Aside from normal gripes (SD card, blah blah) I'd say that's the biggest issue I have.

jonnysods · Feb 25, 2013, 04:11 PM

So pumped for the next mini

Feb 25, 2013, 01:48 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	iPad 5 Cases with Mini-Inspired Designs Begin Hitting Chinese Marketplaces Following the leak of several "iPad 5" cases late last week supporting claims that the device will take some design cues from the iPad mini to become significantly narrower and slightly shorter than the current models, AppleBitch notes that these cases and a several others are now available for order through multiple distributors on Chinese e-marketplace Alibaba. All of the cases contain holes in the bottom edge designed to accommodate a Lightning connector and speaker grilles on either side of the connector, as seen on the iPad mini. The current full-size iPad design contains a single speaker grille on wrapping from the bottom edge around to the back side of the device. One case design shows an open left edge, presumably to accommodate a Smart Cover hinge. The cases also appear to show an extra hole at the top center of the rear of the device, and it is unclear exactly feature of the redesigned iPad the hole is intended to accommodate. The hole was initially thought to be for a microphone, which is currently located along the top edge of the iPad, but a hole in that location appears to still be present on these new cases, leaving the "extra" hole on the rear unaccounted for. Leaks from case makers have in the past proven accurate on a number of occasions, including with the iPad mini, although companies have sometimes been fooled as was seen with the tapered iPhone design back in 2011. But with rumors, rear shell photos, and now cases all consistently pointing toward an iPad mini-like design for the fifth-generation iPad, evidence for a significant overhaul of the full-size iPad is becoming stronger. Article Link: iPad 5 Cases with Mini-Inspired Designs Begin Hitting Chinese Marketplaces
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 01:49 PM	#2
Kebabselector macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Birmingham, UK	Haven't we been here before, just because there's a case doesn't mean a new device. __________________ Mac Mini 1.66Ghz/2gb - 2.4ghz/C2D/8gb - 2.3/i5/8gb - MacBook 2.0Ghz/2gb iPhone 4 S⃣ 32gb - iPad Mini 16gb wifi Others: Canon Eos Stuff - Passat - Smeg - Firewire devices - Prefers Matte
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 01:51 PM	#4
jaredpetersen macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2009	extra hole Couldn't it be for an LED to get it away from the lens?
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 01:52 PM	#5
0815 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: here and there	And as every year (actually twice a year ... iPad and iPhone) some case manufactures take a bet based on rumors to have the first cases out and as most of the time they end up destroying what they manufactured since they listened to rumor sites and not having any reliable sources. Really surprised that it is worth for the manufactures to take those gambles. __________________ sent from my computer Last edited by 0815; Feb 25, 2013 at 01:58 PM. Reason: fixed typo
	1

Feb 25, 2013, 02:01 PM	#11
charlieegan3 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: U.K	Launch day cases must be really big business. Every time. __________________ www.charlieegan3.com
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 01:50 PM	#3
Nathan20 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2012	Maybe the 2 holes are for 2 mics like the current iMacs
	2

Feb 25, 2013, 01:54 PM	#7
mac jones macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2006	I guess these cheap cases are really easy to knock off. They probably make a few just in case they might sell. This way they can postpone selling their souls to the devil a little longer.
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 01:55 PM	#8
spacehog371 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2003	The iPhone has a microphone on the back... I see no reason why they wouldn't do the same thing on the iPad.
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 01:59 PM	#10
Squilly In Time-Out Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: PA	Maybe the new hole is for a centered camera or flash?
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 02:02 PM	#12
TallManNY macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2007	Ooh. I'm excited. Could we see a new iPad as early as the end of March? __________________ Mid-2011 3.1GHz i5 iMac (6970m); Late-2007 Macbook iPhone 5; iPad 3; Nexus 7 Apple Stockholder (Still up enough to cover all my Apple toys, but boy have I taken a beating this year.)
	2

Feb 25, 2013, 02:22 PM	#14
Agent-P macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Colorado	If Apple wanted to get really ridiculous, that extra hole could he for one of those wrist strap anchors like on the most recent iPod touch.
	2

Feb 25, 2013, 02:22 PM	#15
scupking macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2010	I think we will see an iPad 5 in March or Aprial! Probably with the same specs as the iPad 4. __________________ 2010 Macbook Pro 13" iPad mini (black, 16GB wifi)
	1

Feb 25, 2013, 02:38 PM	#17
7thson macrumors regular Join Date: May 2012 Location: Six Rivers, CA	I find it incredibly bizarre that there is an accessory for sale for a device that doesn't exist in the market place yet. Talk about putting the horse before the cart. __________________ I support the MacRumors Blood Drive!
	1

Feb 25, 2013, 02:40 PM	#18
Fresh Pie macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vermontpelier	I ordered four; I just love protecting products that haven't actually been released. __________________ Siri and I have the same approach
	3

Feb 25, 2013, 02:49 PM	#20
vazquez1085 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New York	This kind of rumor really gets me excited..especially since I sold my 3rd gen on Friday I could use an upgrade and really dont want a 4 or a mini..bring on the 5!!
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 02:49 PM	#21
Jamo12 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohio	I'd bet a small amount of money on the back hole being a cutout for a flash. Perfect round cutout. Mic hole on top is rectangular. Why make two different cutouts in the same product. Flash is nice and far away from the camera making zero chance of flash problems. It is smaller and lighter and using it as a camera is not as rediclious. May as well, plenty of space for it.
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 03:17 PM	#24
DCstewieG macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: U.S.A.	Regardless of whether these are legit or not, it would be really nice for Apple to bring stereo sound to the iPad. When on its side, one on the left, one on the right. The iPad mini stereo speakers are laughable. Aside from normal gripes (SD card, blah blah) I'd say that's the biggest issue I have.
	0

Feb 25, 2013, 04:11 PM	#25
jonnysods macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aussie living in Canada	So pumped for the next mini
	0

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