iPad 3 Release Date

Apple launched ‘the new iPad’ and the retina display is the USP of this new offering. A resolution of 2048 X 1536 with PPI (Pixel per Inch) of 264 will provide a stunning experience when using images and videos. While everyone is drooling over these specs, the suppliers of these displays are having a tough time. According to analysts, the yields of producing these displays are not as high as Apple expected and this could very well result in display shortage and thus delay. Already the pre-orders are getting delayed.

These retina displays are being manufactured by Sharp, Samsung and LG. According to NPD DisplaySearch , Sharp is facing troubles in producing these on a large scale. The reason is the distinct technology used by Sharp. Sharp is using IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide) thin-film transistors whereas Samsung and LG are using Silicon based. IGZO allows for higher brightness with a reduced number of LED’s in the backlight.

IGZO is important as it reduces the number of LED’s and thus power consumption. iPad 2 has 36 LED’s and according to DisplaySearch’s analysts, the new iPad (iPad 3) should have at least 72. This increases power consumption and thus battery life gets affected. Rumors are flying that Sharp already switched to Silicon based thin-film transistors to ramp up the production. Do you think that the retina display may prove to be a dampener on the new iPad’s battery life?

Apple unveiled iBooks2 last week in New York City as part of its education event. iBooks2 was released to set the stage ready for the coming iPad 3 to boost up its educational credentials. According to Phil Schiller, Apple’s Senior VP of Worldwide Product Marketing, “now with iBooks 2 for iPad, students can have a more dynamic, engaging and truly interactive way to read and learn, using the device they already love”.

According to Apple pundits, this latest update of iBooks gives enough clues about the ‘Retina Display-like’ high resolution screen that has been rumoured to come with the iPad 3. High quality iPad images were found in the iBooks app in January, 2011 and it triggered speculations about 2048X1536 resolutions for iPad2. That didn’t materialize, but as per experts, the recent update of iBooks2 contains a third image with 2X equivalent resolution of the iPad. Similar high-resolution images were found in an iOS 5 beta last summer too.

iPad and iPad2 were launched with a resolution of 1024X768. A 2X resolution for iPad3 means a resolution of 2048X1536 – which comes to 264 PPI (Pixels per Inch). iPhone 4 has a pixel density of 326 ppi. But this much pixel density is not required for an iPad, considering the distance at which screen is held from the eye. A recent beta update of iOS 5.1 showed references to debut of A6 quad-core processor with the iPad3. Now iBooks update affirms 2X resolution. Are the iPad 3 specs finally starting to become clearer? Do you think Apple is intentionally leaving these bits and pieces of the puzzle just before the launch of iPad 3?

According to DigiTimes, Samsung, LG and Sharp have already shipped around 1 million high-resolution display panels in October for Apple’s iPad 3. Further 2 million more are to be shipped by the end of November. As per our previous post, these are Retina displays that have a resolution of 2048X1536 pixels and PPI (Pixels per Inch) of 264. This means twice the resolution of iPad 2. These retina displays will be complemented by touch modules from TPK Holding and Wintek . As per DigiTimes Asian sources in the Apple supply chain, TPK Holding and Wintek together will scale up to one million touch modules per month starting from mid-November or December. Once these components are shipped, Apple’s contractor Foxconn will start assembling of iPad 3 in January 2012 for a release in the first-quarter.

Even if the recent rumors and estimates are off by one month, we can clearly see the momentum building towards iPad 3’s release. Recent developments and the increasing competition in tablet space can signify a release timeline of first-quarter of 2012. With the entry of low-cost, 7-inch devices like Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook tablet, the tablet market is just getting hot. In a scenario like this, Apple would definitely like to maintain its annual refresh on time. In the light of this competition, there were even rumors of an iPad Mini.

At the same time there are reports of Apple slashing its orders for iPad 2 displays in the fourth-quarter of 2011. Apple already has an inventory sufficient for assembling 15-16 million iPad’s in the fourth-quarter. Considering iPad 2’s sales in the third-quarter, analysts are of the view that Apple’s production targets are around 3-4 million less than the display parts. Analyst’s view this difference can be due to the shipping of iPad 3 displays which has already started. Do you think these reports can influence the holiday season shoppers and make them wait for an iPad 3 instead of buying an iPad 2?

According to a Japanese tech blog, iPad 3 might be out as early as March, 2012. As per their ‘reliable Asian Source’, production of iPad 3 is being rushed due to Chinese New Year Celebrations which are from January 22nd to 28th. Also as per this site, iPad 3 will come with a redesigned dock connector. This new connector will have the same number of pins but a smaller shape than the one on the iPad 2. This could result in compatibility issues with existing devices that plug into the dock. The tech site even published images of the dock connector obtained from one of Apple’s Asian suppliers.

As per these sources iPad 3’s screen size will remain the same, but still it is not sure if Apple is aiming for a Retina Display-like resolution on this tablet. Retina Display means a very high pixel density so that human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels. iPhone 4, 4S and iPod Touch 4G come with this resolution. For iPhone 4S it meant a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch (PPI). But this much pixel density is not needed for iPad as its screen is not held so close to the eyes.

LG and Samsung reached a resolution display of 2048 x 1536. This is a PPI of 264, which is twice the resolution of iPad 2. The challenge is to manufacture these displays in the volumes that Apple need. Right now there are production plans but converting these plans is a giant leap which was not achieved till now. As per the same Asian Source, resolution of 1600 x 1200 would be an interim option. Launch time of March 2012 is safe considering the similar timing of Apple’s previous launches of iPad and iPad 2. At the same time there is a rumor doing the rounds that Apple might fit iPad with an A6 processor and this might push the launch till June 2012 or later. It seems that with each day Apple is pushing the limits of displays, processors and user experience.

So not only have we had news this week about HD screens that will likely be shipped with the new iPad 3′s but it also appears that the LG CEO himself has said  -

That more smartphone manufacturers will be releasing their new models with LG’s ‘Retina Display’ that has been used in iPhones and iPads.

Big oopsss, did we hear that correctly Mr Kwon Young-soo, Retina displays that have been used in iPads.  Could these iPad’s perhaps be the next iPad 3?  I think the answer to that is more than likely YES.

The statement came about from an LG Display CEO’s meeting with reporters 3 days ago.  A reporter was asking a question regarding whether his company would enter the OLED market for smaller portable devices such as smartphones etc.  LG CEO rightly pointed out (as i mentioned in my iPad 3 HD Display article) that OLED displays “are not suitable in terms of picture quality, response time, energy consumption and contrast ratios for smartphones and tablets”.

With so many talk around the new iPad 3 this is the first piece of semi official evidence that the iPad 3 will indeed be getting a retina display.