Apple iPad fans who are waiting anxiously for the next gen tablet to launch this fall should not get their hopes up as the recent report revealed by DigiTimes claims that Apple has cancelled the launch of the upcoming tablet, dubbed as iPad 3 due to the high resolution display supply constraints.
This cancellation of iPad 3 orders for the second half of the year is reportedly affecting the other tablet PC brands that are set to launch same-level product as they are also reportedly chosen to “delay their launch” to compete.
DigiTimes reported that:
“Apple has planned to launch the iPad 3 “with a supply volume of 1.5-2 million units in the third quarter and 5-6 million in the fourth quarter”.
According to the sources from the upstream supply chain, “Apple has recently canceled its iPad 3 supply schedule for the second half of 2011,”. Sources believed that the yield rate for the iPad 3’s 9.7 inch panel with 2048 x 1536 high resolution screen is the major reason for the supply delay since such panels are mainly supplied by Japan-based Sharp Electronics, whose manufacturing rates are much higher than what the China’s Samsung and LG supply partners charge Apple. In addition, since Apple’s demand for high level supply of the screens can’t be maintained, Apple is cancelling the scheduled plans for the mass production of iPad 3, reports DigiTimes.
Sources also claims that the high resolution screens are creating some technological complications that could further delay the launch of the iPad 3. Since the resolution of the 9.7 inch panel requires a more powerful backlight source and a single edge light bar is unable to reach the satisfaction levels. Also Apple is focusing on a thin design and some exceptional requirements for the screen’s rich color quality and toughness, these complications could further add a delay in the launch as the manufacturers are searching for the solutions.