Apple's fifth-gen regular iPad is set to hit store shelves worldwide in September, a new report said, adding that full production of the 9.7-inch tablet is scheduled to commence by July with key design revisions.

Consumers can expect a thinner and lighter iPad 5, according to DigiTimes, as Apple engineers successfully shaved off a maximum of 33 per cent heft from the slate. The device is estimated to weigh just 489 grams, coming from the iPad 4's 652 grams, on its actual release date.

The same report partly confirmed that the original iPad will assume a design similar to that of the iPad Mini, which means that the bezel around the tablet's screen is further decreased.

Allegedly employing a new manufacturing approach, Apple reportedly focused on trimming down the iPad's glass display by opting for a one layer shield known as Indium Tin Oxide film, which protects the panel from electromagnetic interference.

The result is an iPad 5 display glass substrate that is 0.2mm thinner than found on its predecessor, DigiTimes said on its report.

Also, the adjustments called for the use of one LED backlighting for the upcoming tablet though the report was silent on how Apple will compensate for the major screen alteration. Note that the Retina-enabled iPad normally relies on two LEDs for utmost screen illumination.

Noteworthy from the report is the inclusion of Samsung Display as one of the accredited Apple suppliers. Samsung will work with LG and Sharp in manufacturing the display component of the iPad 5.

Samsung's role could be explained by the large shipment targets that Apple intends to achieve, which is around three million units every month starting in late September.

DigiTimes also nominated the following firms as Apple's partners in putting together the iPad 5: TPK Holding, Coretronic, Radiant Opto-Electronics and Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology.

Much of the details provided by the Taiwanese publication largely affirmed analysts' projections that the fifth serving of Apple's original tablet offering has been subjected to a radical redesign, purportedly to keep consumers' interest.

On its release date, the iPad 5 will showcase the use of GF2 touchscreen technology as among its fresh components addition plus a body profile that is 15 per cent thinner from the previous version.