Makers of tablet screens expect increased revenues in spring
updated 01:30 am EST, Tue February 21, 2012
Further signs of nearing iPad 3 release
Touch screen makers in Taiwan are expecting to report increased revenues in the second calendar quarter of 2012, almost entirely due to an expected new version of the iPad rumored to be launching next month. The industry publication DigiTimes, which has a mixed track record with regards to Apple news, reports that by contrast, revenues for HTC's touch-screen suppliers are expected to drop.
TPK Holding and Wintek, two of Apple's touch-screen suppliers, are expected to increase revenue substantially in the first quarter. The companies are believed to have supplied four million panels for the iPad 2 in January alone, but production on the new iPad 3 screens is now in full swing, sources say.
TPK is expected to benefit the most, with a possible new Kindle Fire being launched in May 2012 and a possible new iPhone in the fall. Wintek will generate around $900 million in the first quarter, and may hit $950 million in the second quarter.
By comparison, two Android-oriented touch-screen makers (Young Fast Optoelectronics and J Touch), which mainly make screens for HTC and South Korean handset makers, are currently in a traditional off-season. Thus, the two suppliers are expected to drop revenues by 20-40 percent during the first quarter, but rebound in the second quarter as demand returns.
