New photos corroborate iPad 3 suspicions, including an 8-megapixel rear camera, A5X processor and high-resolution 9.7-inch display.

In three separate incidences over the weekend, insiders have leaked iPad 3 photos alluding to the design and purported parts for the soon-to-be-released tablet. Here’s a look at the shots, where they came from, and what they tell us.

8-megapixel camera

The first of three leaks published on Chinese blog, Apple Daily, displays a side-by-side comparison of the iPad’s shells from its first to third generation. The purported iPad 3 in the comparison displays a noticeable difference in the circumference of the rear-facing camera, assumed to be making space for an 8-megapixel camera. The case’s design itself, while exhibiting little difference from its second-generation predecessor as we’ve expected, may come with a noticeably beveled edge, likely in an effort to fit in a larger battery. We should expect the iPad 3 to trump the 10-hour battery life on its predecessor.

iPad 3 shell Chinese leak

Dual-core A5X

A second leaked photo that sprang up on the Chinese site, WeiPhone, suggests that the iPad 3’s processor will be a quicker dual-core A5X, an upgrade from the dual-core A5, which can be clocked up to 1GHz and debuted in the iPad 2. The news of the A5X may come as a disappointment for those who were expecting the newer A6 quad-core processor. But all hope isn’t lost.  According to MacRumors, the A5X processor was created in November 2011, which could very well mean that Apple disguised the A6 as an A5X to prevent a leak such as this. The second possibility: The A5X was a mere stand-in prototype, because Apple is known to create multiple prototypes before finalizing the specifications.

 

iPad 3 a5x

9.7-inch display

Finally, a leak by yet another Chinese blog, App.wepost.me, offers a glimpse at purported iPad 3 displays packaged to be shipped out. The forum confirms a 9.7-inch, high-resolution 2048 x 1536 Retina Display, but also includes a “dual LED display.” Samsung’s manufacturer, Radiant Opto-Electronics factory in Wujiang, China, is reported to be the supplier and will be shipping out the product to Samsung in South Korea. 

 

 

With the iPad 3 anticipated March 7 unveiling quickly approaching, everything we’ve been expecting in the iPad 3 remains for the most part, unchanged.

Showing 17 comments

  1. mrhacker95 at 6:37am 21st February 2012 Can't leakers take better pics?
  2. Austin Clark at 10:10pm 20th February 2012 I figured I would wait to get an iPad. Now I'm glad I did...
  3. Keith Westerman at 8:49pm 20th February 2012 I thought the "retina display" already had better clarity than the human eye. Why are they improving it?
    1. Ben Gaddy at 2:38pm 20th February 2012 For a display to be classified as a "Retina Display," it must have a resolution of 300ppi (pixels per inch) or higher. The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S currently have a screen resolution that meets this standard. The iPad and iPad 2, however, both have low resolution screens with closer to 150ppi. The iPad 3 will have a "Retina Display" that will bring it closer to the 300ppi standard, making it a vast improvement over the first two, and something equivelant to the current iPhone screen's clarity.
      1. Rhys Lloyd at 3:45pm 20th February 2012 "The iPad 3 will have..." - we believe... and you're likely to be right, but people touted the Retina Display last year for the iPad 2 and it was a no-show.All the App devs are going to have to rescale all their graphics.
  4. Robert Murphy at 8:47pm 20th February 2012 I don't care, it's utterly pointless with outdated technology. Talking about feeding the gullible
    1. Rhys Lloyd at 3:46pm 20th February 2012 Notice: Please don't feed the troll.
  5. Cameron Soderstrom at 8:31pm 20th February 2012 ipad 2 just came out...
  6. Sunnyways at 12:28pm 20th February 2012 8 mega pixel cam and the almost 10 inch screen?! I just bought an IPAD : (
  7. Louie Cañedo at 12:27pm 20th February 2012 meh. the asus transformer prime still kicks the iPads proverbial a--
  8. Dennis Connaughton at 8:25pm 20th February 2012 I'm still trying to figure out how to load 35 ml. film into my old digital camera. Sigh.
  9. Adnan Shaffi at 8:12pm 20th February 2012 Latest? Are you guys serious, this happened yesterday
  10. Chris Robinson at 8:12pm 20th February 2012 I would like an upgraded front facing camera please!
  11. NerdGurl86 at 12:06pm 20th February 2012 Not really sure. I heard by this summer but you never know with these guys ; )
  12. Brain_Tech at 11:47am 20th February 2012 I was thinking of purchasing an ipad 2 but does anyone know the release date for the third one?
    1. Ben Gaddy at 2:40pm 20th February 2012 It will likely be some time in March. Almost all Apple products have a yearly update that is followed fairly regularly. Given the first two iPads were released in the month of March, iPad 3 probably will be too.
  13. Ian Bell at 10:21am 20th February 2012 Over the weekend, Mike Flacy had a great post that talked about the new supposed resolution on the iPad 3 and how that resolution would tie over to the new Apple TV product supposedly coming out. I guess apps will look the same on both devices. This would make a lot of sense.
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