Analysts are now reporting that QXGA 2048 x 1536 (3.1 Megapixel) IPS 'Retina' panels destined for Apple's upcoming iPad 3 have now entered production.
A combination of reports support evidence that Apple is having its displays produced by Samsung, Sharp and LGD. Typically one would associate this as a sign of rapid production for an imminent release, though it is more likely that three suppliers have been utilised to combat low-yields that had been reported along the grapevine, caused by complications in producing a panel that is both thinner and of a greater density than that of the panel found in the iPad 2.
It had been rumoured that Apple actually had two separate panel designs in the works right up until the last minute, one of which sported a superior spec. but was reliant on production yields, we wonder exactly which panel, if there truly were two, Apple has requested be swung into production.
It's looking like Apple is on-track for an early Spring release, perhaps with a release announcement as early as January, though in typical Apple fashion, if this were to be so, real volumes of stock wouldn't reach us until February/March time at the earliest. Sporting an Apple A6 quad-core ARM-based processor, produced on TSMC 28nm nodes, the iPad 3 is sure to give the ASUS Transformer Prime some very serious competition, that is, for those who haven't been sold purely on the appeal of the detachable keyboard. ASUS will need to hurry up its supply of stock and dig-in over Christmas and the upcoming months in order to effectively compete with Apple's massive existing fanbase.
We eagerly look forwards to the release of iPad 3 and to the future of tablet computing in general, as competition looks likely to heat up once more early next year.
