Apple's iPad 5 will be up to 33% lighter than its predecessor, it has been reported, according to Digital Spy.

The tablet is rumoured to be going into production in July ahead of a September launch, with the Cupertino firm shedding a third of the iPad 4's weight for its latest model.

The next generation iPad will keep its 2048 x 1536 Retina display by using a thinner 0.2mm piece of glass.

Just one LED light bar will apparently be used for backlighting - the iPad 4 currently uses a 0.25mm glass substrate and two LED light bars.

Supply chain sources in Taiwan told DigiTimes that the bezel around the display will also be narrowed.

The report adds that Apple will produce 2 million to 3 million units starting in September.

LG Display, Samsung Display and Sharp are all expected to be supplying display panels for the iPad 5.