Tip: LG Display still involved in new iPad LCD supply
updated 09:00 am EDT, Wed March 14, 2012
LG Display still joining Samsung in iPad displays
A new leak on Wednesday has countered claims that Samsung might be exclusive as Apple's supplier for the new iPad's display. The Reuters contact understood that LG Display was "also in a panel supply deal" for the 2048x1536 LCD. No mention was made of Sharp, which has been mentioned as possibly left out after not being ready for Apple's goals.
None of the purportedly involved companies has confirmed any level of involvement. Although Apple now names the companies it works with for its labor conditions reports, many of the companies are still bound by industry-standard non-disclosure deals that prevent them from identifying themselves as suppliers.
LG Display was at least originally expected as a supplier given its being a regular source of iPad displays since the original in 2010. Samsung was brought on to bolster demand early into the iPad's history and was an important factor in the iPad 2's run. Sharp had been uninvolved in the iPad until rumors linked it to the third generation.
The new display is known to have provided extra challenges related to the sheer pixel density. Apple's display partners not only needed to 'elevate' the pixels to ensure more light reaching the screen but to add extra LED backlights to keep the visual performance seen in the much lower resolution original panel.
