iPad 5's Secret Weapon Comes From Apple's iPad Mini

Investors and consumers alike are beginning to wonder how Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) will improve upon the fourth-generation iPad.

Without any groundbreaking features or an exclusive app (like Siri for the iPhone 4S) to persuade buyers, the iPad 4 was not as alluring as the first-generation iPad Mini.

The Mini was smaller and thinner. Since it can be held in one hand, Apple was able to reduce the boarder and bring the display closer to the edge. These are the kinds of subtle touches that really stand out when consumers are comparing tablets side-by-side.

In order to improve the fifth-generation iPad, Apple is expected to make it look and feel more like the iPad Mini.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple will use a film-based touch panel (the same one employed by the iPad Mini) in the next-generation iPad. This panel is thinner and lighter than the one featured in the iPad 4, which will allow Apple to build a better tablet this time around.

Not much else is known about the fifth-generation iPad. The panel rumor has come around several times before, but there have yet to be any details regarding the device's processor, camera or new software.

There is the possibility that Apple could increase the battery life, but that might require the company to use an Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) processor that was built for PCs. In previous iPads, Apple used its own processors to power the devices.

Despite the number of keyboards that have infiltrated the tablet space -- most notably the Touch Cover for Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Surface -- Apple is not believed to be developing a new cover.

Thus, the existing Smart Covers -- which come in two varieties (polyurethane and leather) for the full-size iPad -- should work with the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2. Don't expect otherwise unless Apple changes the form factor of these devices.

Disclosure: At the time of this writing, Louis Bedigian had no position in the equities mentioned in this report.

Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ