Production of the iPad 3 Retina Display Is Still a Problem

Recently Digitimes reported that the production of the next-gen iPad’s high resolution display remains to be a problem. As a result, Chimei Innolux Corporation didn’t get certification to become an LCD provider for Apple’s next-gen tablet.

“CMI has cut into the supply chain of iPad 2, which uses IPS panels, but the new Apple tablet is more demanding in terms of resolution, the sources said. The iPad 3 will feature a 9.7-inch panel with resolution of 2,048x1,536 compared to the iPad 2's 1,024x768”.

Besides that, Chimei Innolux is considered to remain the display supplier of iPad 2.

It is also believed that the iPad 3 will get a new 2048x1536 display. The first rumors about the high-resolution display in the next-gen tablet appeared after it was discovered that the iPad’s version of iBooks contans the artwork with a double resolution. The latest generation of iPhone had also got the display with a resolution of 960x640, which is 2x more than 480x320 resolution used in previous iPhones.

Chimei Innolux appears to be not the only one who faced difficulties in the production of new display. LG and Samsung are considered to have problems as well. Moreover, these problems forced Apple to push the release of iPad 3 to the 2012.

It is interesting that in May Samsung had already demoed a 2560x1600 10.1" LCD, though it was based on a bit different technology.

The delay of iPad displays is explained by the fact that the display is the most constrained part for Apple. That’s why the company has reportedly invested $3.7 billion in display manufacturers and thus locked up access to LCD production facilities. As a result, Toshiba should start production as soon as in 2011, while Sharp is believed to release first displays in 2012. If so, iPad 3 should be released in time.