iPad 3 production could hit 65-70m in 2012
updated 10:10 pm EST, Mon February 13, 2012
iPad 3 run estimated 60pc higher than in 20111
A mix of suppliers and unnamed Korean press mentions have claimed that Apple is planning a dramatic increase in iPad shipments for 2012. Shipments for the new LCD panel, believed designed by Sharp but being manufactured by LG Display and Samsung, were said by the Commercial Times to be already booked to the order of 65 million to 75 million units for the year. Versus production of about 40.5 million in 2011, it would represent 60 to 73 percent higher shipments than last year.
Korean media had already had suppliers "partly" stopping iPad 2 production as they moved over to the iPad 3, which should be well under way. Taiwan companies had supposedly been mostly cut out of the loop for display technology.
The increase was far from verified, but it would follow a pattern Apple has conducted in the past of rapidly accelerating shipments during the first few years of a new device category's existence. Growing at roughly two thirds' shipments would put significant pressure on Android, most of all the Kindle Fire's growth, and test whether lower prices and newer versions of Android are enough to keep the platform relevant.
Most rumors swirling around the iPad 3 have it arriving in March with a 2048x1536 display, an A6 processor, and possibly LTE on cellular-aware versions.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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More supply may = lower unit prices. If Apple wants mass adoption, lower prices and more space would definitely garner more buyers.