Display Suppliers' Production Numbers Support Upcoming Boost in iPad 2 Shipments

ipad 2 displayLast week, DigiTimes reported that Apple would be targeting shipments of 12-14 million iPad 2s during the third quarter of 2011, and a new report backs up that conclusion with claims that Apple's touch panel suppliers pushed out five million units in June and plan to produce another five million in July.

Five million touch sensors for the iPad 2 will be shipped in July, according to sources with Apple's supply chain.

Shipments in June were also five million, with TPK Holding and Wintek supplying 1.4-1.6 million units each and the remaining by Cando, Sintek Photronic and Chimei Innolux (CMI), the sources indicated.

Display production has been one bottleneck for Apple in meeting iPad customer demand, even dating back to the original iPad. Wintek and TPK were Apple's initial suppliers for the touch components, but the company was forced to add additional suppliers such as Cando in order to meet its production goals.

Apple has been said to be soaking up 60% of the global supply of touch panels for 2011, putting pressure on smaller manufacturers who are having a difficult time securing components for their own devices.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

ri0ku Avatar
166 months ago
(http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/97469494.jpg/)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DiamondMac Avatar
166 months ago
Just more proof that there evidently won't be an iPad 3 this year :)

There is absolutely not a single piece of "proof" that an iPad3 was ever coming in 2011. Only rumors from "sources"

Why anyone would actually think that Apple would push out an iPad 3 when the iPad 2 is murdering everyone else INCLUDING the recently pushed-out tablets....is mind-boggling to me.

iPad 2 demand is so strong that they still require 'weeks' to get one online...well ok, 1-2 now.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Biolizard Avatar
166 months ago
What was that about a Retina iPad 3 in September?

Edit: Clearly needed a </sarcasm> tag
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zunjine Avatar
166 months ago
The question has to be why would Apple release an iPad 3 so soon? Why would a company who has only just released a sizeable update to a product (anyone who claims it's a minor update is ignoring the facts - much better processor, massively improved graphics performance, cameras, gyroscope and a third thinner!) and can't even yet keep up with demand for that product spend a huge amount of money in order to make that product obsolete? I would understand this if the iPad 2 was selling poorly but it isn't.

There is no argument for this idea that makes any sense. Could it happen? It's not beyond the realms of the possible. But is there any reason to expect it? No. No reason at all.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zunjine Avatar
166 months ago
I dont think it will happen. But I do think there are good reasons for it too happen.

Keeps Apple in the news, keeps them remaining on top and shocks competition with a new product that they are desperately trying to keep up with.

Although I dont think much could change other than the screen for the moment.. or the size. If they released a 7" that to me would be cool for a small ebook reader (wouldnt buy one though as I own the original ipad) doubt they would release a smaller size, doesnt seem to be a demand for it and jobs doesnt like them either.

So possibly either the screen resolution being better with some better graphics I suppose maybe processor bump (small) its quite hard to think what could be a significant change in order to sell a 3rd gen so quick.

Size seems to be the only drastic change that could be made at the moment.

But the costs are massive in developing a new product. This plan would cut off the iPad 2 in its prime and, well, they're already beating the competition handily right now. The gains are tiny but the costs are huge.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alent1234 Avatar
166 months ago
Although I don't quite agree with the possibility of an iPad 3 release this year, you do make a compelling point here. Maybe a Christmas release?

other than video games who releases anything before christmas?

most of the parts in the ipad 2 come out early in the year for testing and engineering so the product can ship early the next year. not like apple makes or designs most of the internal parts
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
Reasons to Not Upgrade to macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Sonoma 14.4: Reasons Not to Update

Monday March 18, 2024 9:36 am PDT by
Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow. This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available. USB...