iPad 5 Release Date Rumors, Price, Features, Specs / Lighter, Thinner Aluminum iPad Launch After iPhone 5, iPhone 5C Event? [PHOTOS]

While Samsung declared war earlier in the year with the Galaxy S4, Apple has been relatively absent in the smartphone conversation.

Now with the Galaxy Note 3 looming ahead with a rumored September 4 launch date, the Internet is abound with speculation over how Apple will answer with the upcoming iPad 5.

Most importantly, when will Apple answer with a new iPad 5? After iOS 7 was confirmed for a fall 2013 release date, its pretty obvious Apple will launch a couple new devices around that time. The latest reports indicate two new iPhones could be released on September 10, roughly a week after the hyped Samsung event in Berlin.

Apple released the iPad 4 back in November 2012, after an October reveal. Would Apple push back the iPad 5 release a couple weeks after the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C launch?

As far as iPad 5 specs, there's little fact to go off of. As with most tech upgrades, the iPad 5 will most likely be thinner and lighter, similar to the iPad Mini.

Alleged iPad 5 photos leaked online showing the tablet wrapped in an aluminum casing.

Some thing Apple is also equipping the new iPad with a thinner glass and smaller and/or less LED backlights.

As far as rumored features, we can probably bet on a few coming true and few on the radar for next year.

Obviously the iPad 5 will have a faster process chip. Gold and grey are also a couple other color option rumors floating around the web. Upgrading to the same 8-megapixel rear-facing camera as the iPhone 5 wouldn't be too tough to stuff in the new iPad 5 design.

Based on Apple's pricing history, the iPad 5 will most likely start at around $600 to $625. No word on whether the minimum capacity will be 16GB or 32GB. The price goes up if you purchase the Wi-Fi + 4G model.