Apple iPad 3 high-res display 'confirmed' in production
updated 05:05 am EST, Tue November 22, 2011
High-res confirmed, 7-inch a possibility too
An analyst has confirmed that the QXGA 2048x1536 9.7-inch iPad 3 display is in production, according to CNET. Richard Shim of DisplaySearch also said, as previously rumored, that Apple is taking shipments from Samsung, Sharp and LG to ensure sufficient production yield for a planned early 2012 launch. Also in the cards is the possibility of the rumored 7-inch iPad mini.
"It takes a couple of weeks for the production to go to the [manufacturers]. Then the manufacturer puts them in the housing. Then, that goes off to shipment. We could start seeing finished devices produced in December. And then being ready to be shipped in January. With volumes gearing up in February and March," Shim said.
The iPad 3 display is expected to be very bright, despite the increased pixel density thanks to dual-bar LED backlighting. The display is said to be capable of producing 550 nits of brightness, versus the 350 nits of the average notebook. It should also continue with Apple's current preference for IPS LCDs coupled with Super PLS technology.
Shim also said that Apple is mulling a smaller iPad that would center on a 7.85-inch display, possibly to help counter the increasing popularity of the 7-inch tablet form factor, headed by the Amazon Kindle Fire. If it happens, it would come later in 2012.
"If there's demand there. There's no reason they wouldn't build a 7.85-inch iPad," Shim said.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
Clueless
Read Steve Jobs lips: "No 7 inch tablet unless we issue pencil sharpeners too.' These are Android manufacturer's attempts to cut cost and ship tiny junk. The report is mislabelled as Apple and should read Android. The larger screen size could be Apple's.