Later this month, Apple is expected to unveil two new iPads: the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3. A new story published today by BGR, via The Michael Report, claims that not only have the specs for the upcoming iPad Air leaked already, they also say they've obtained actual images of Apple's latest full-size tablet two weeks before it's supposed launch this month. Apple is rumored to already be hard at work producing actual units of the successor to last year's iPad Air, the thinnest iPad to date. 

New Design

According to The Michael Report, the iPad Air 2 will have a "fully-laminated display," same as the iPhone. The new tablet is also rumored to be 0.5 mm thinner than its predecessor, but who's counting? There is also speculation that Apple will seek to market the iPad Air 2 as the thinnest consumer tablet available when it launches. 

Apple has also allegedly decided to include a gold colorway for this year's iPad Air 2, a first for their tablets, and if true, the iPad will now be available in the same color options as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Other new design elements supposedly include flatter buttons, a new speaker grille design and the microphone being moved next to the tablet's back camera. The iPad's display is also rumored to have been upgraded. 

Look for an A8 processor inside the new tablet, along with 2 GB of RAM and storage options for 32GB, 64GB or 128GB. If true, this means a 16GB iPad Air 2 will not be sold by Apple. Touch ID is reported to be on board and so is Apple Pay support. An 8 megapixel camera is said to be on the tablet's back while an HD front facing camera will provide clearer video for FaceTime sessions. 

Release Date

Apple has scheduled an event for October 16, which will reportedly be when the new iPads will be unveiled. Look for them to be available immediately after the announcement or shortly thereafter. There is still no confirmation for if or when the rumored 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be released or announced.