Both LG Display and AU Optronics are currently supplying the displays for Apple’s new iPad mini tablet, but with AU reportedly having some production issues, it’s looking as though LG is carrying much of the burden. The report surfaces from the hit-and-miss DigiTimes citing the usual "sources familiar with the matter," and although the two companies are considered the “main display suppliers," it would seem the vast majority of iPad minis are packing a screen manufactured by LG.
An incredible four million panels have been shipped for the iPad mini in the past four weeks alone, and the report suggests most of them have been made by LG Display. AU Optronics’ lackluster yield is said to be the main reason why the iPad mini will only sell 6-8 million units this year – way short of the 10 million estimate.
Apple has relied heavily on Samsung to supply its displays in the past, but the Cupertino has quite openly been reducing its reliance on a with company it’s currently engaged in several court battles. Tim Cook stressed the importance of Samsung as a manufacturing partner at the last earnings call, but with a San Jose court having recently ordered Samsung to pay Apple $1.05 billion in total damages, one has to wonder how much longer the two can continue doing business to this degree.
Only this week, Apple has had to change the battery supplier for its iPad and MacBook Air ranges – drafting in two Chinese companies to replace a Samsung subsidiary which is said to have cut the cord on its manufacturing to Apple.
The iPad mini has, despite a mixed response from the tech world, gone down very well with consumers, and with millions of units having been shipped in the past month, it would seem many will be seeing the smaller, lighter and thinner slab this Christmas.
As tempting as it may be, we’d advise you to wait for the upgraded, Retina version – expected early next year – before investing your money on an iPad mini. At present, it’s just a scaled-down iPad 2, and as we discovered with the prompt release of the iPad 4 – a little patience can go a long way.
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