Apple’s LCD display panel suppliers are already shipping panels for Apple’s next-generation “iPad 3” by the millions according to a new report. Citing unnamed industry sources, DigiTimes on Friday reported that Samsung Electronics, LG Display and Sharp shipped a total of one million high-resolution displays for Apple’s next-generation iPad, which will enter production in January. Volume in November is expected to ramp to up more than 2 million units, the report said, and touch module suppliers TPK Holding and Wintek are expected to begin shipping components this month. According to DigiTimes, the touch modules to be used in Apple’s upcoming iPad 2 successor are comparable to the modules in Apple’s current iPad. Read on for more.
Reports surrounding Apple’s next iPad already conflict. Claiming an inside track, Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White recently said Apple is working on an “iPad mini” that will launch early next year. According to White, the “mini” refers to the tablet’s price rather than its size, however; the analyst says Apple’s new tablet will be the same size as Apple’s iPad 2 but it will be priced in the mid to high-$200 range. Apple’s will then release a more powerful iPad 3 in the second quarter according to White.
Other reports claim Apple’s mini tablet will in fact be a smaller iPad model that will launch in addition to a full-size iPad 3 with a new Retina Display. Taiwan’s United Daily News reported last month that Apple has a new smaller iPad model in the works with a 7.85-inch display. DigiTimes’ report on Friday also mentions the smaller slate, suggesting that Apple has already taken delivery of display samples for the new tablet. According to the report, however, Apple’s smaller iPad is still in the early stages of development and it remains to be seen if Apple will add the tablet to its iPad lineup.
