Apple has reportedly inked deals with LG Display, Samsung Electronics and Sharp to supply LCD panels for its upcoming iPad 3. The news comes following a lengthy period of quality testing and trial runs which many believe signals a higher resolution Retina display. Unfortunately the report from DigiTimes does not highlight the resolution and instead focuses on the backlight modules and potential rise of Sharp as Apple’s leading panel supplier.
While speaking about Samsung, the report on DigiTimes said, “Sharp stands a chance of overtaking the Korea competitor if it is able to run stable supplies of quality panels.” This is not the first time we’ve heard such claims. Last week Reuters ran a story suggesting that Apple was working out a deal with Sharp which would involved a possible $1 billion pre-payment “to ensure future display supply”.
As far as the LCD backlighting is concerned, Taiwan-based Radiant Opto-Electronics will continue to supply backlight modules. Only this time the shipments will land on three door steps instead of the usual two. With three display suppliers Apple should be able to ramp production and have the iPad 3 out on the showroom floor early next year. Will a higher resolution Retina display be in the cards? You tell us.
via DigiTimes
