Amid the rumors making rounds about the yet-to-be-released next-generation Apple tablet, the `iPad 5', an alleged case for the forthcoming device has reportedly been spotted in Hong Kong; and it hints at a thinner as well as narrower tablet.

The case, spotted in one of the booths at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, is - going by the information shared by the staff managing the booth - based on a leaked mold.

The shape of the alleged `iPhone 5' case, in comparison to similar cases available in the market for the current iPad and its predecessor, suggests that the next-generation iPad will probably be much sleeker than the two latest generations of the bigger tablet.

The case spotted in Hong Kong further hints that the screen of the mystifying `iPad 5' will essentially be of the same size as the last two iPads, though the left- and right-side bezels will be comparatively thinner; quite like the smaller iPad Mini tablet. Furthermore, the straighter edges of the case somewhat substantiate an earlier leak by 9to5Mac that the `iPad 5' will have an iPad Mini-like body.

Meanwhile, the source of the alleged `iPad 5' case's mould has claimed that the next-generation iPad will likely be unveiled by Apple on June 18; and it will hit the markets on June 27.