Thinner iPad 3 Coming with Low-Power Retina Display?

Rumors of a high-resolution 2048x1536 display for the iPad 3 have been circulating for some time now, but the new display's effect on the device's form factor is still up for some debate.

A claim from earlier this month regarding Apple requiring two light bars in order to manage the much higher resolution of the iPad 3 was followed just last week with a report that the device will be 0.7 mm thicker than the iPad 2 in order to accommodate that dual light bar design.

white ipad 2 oblique
More claims of a 2048x1536 display for the iPad surfaced earlier this week, with that analyst's source indicating that Apple will continue to use in-plane switching (IPS) technology for the new display.

But a new report from Jeffries analyst Peter Misek and shared by Forbes claims that Apple will not be using IPS on the iPad 3, and has in fact invested $500 million to $1 billion in new equipment to allow Sharp to produce the required displays using technology permitting a thinner and lower-power design.

Also, we believe that Apple and Sharp together have a modified IGZO (indium, gallium, zinc) technology to achieve 330 dpi, which is sufficient for an HD display while not using IPS nor having to include dual-bar LED backlighting. In our view, this should lead to several design advantages, namely the device can be thinner, battery life should be longer, and the overall experience for users should be meaningfully improved.

Misek noted in a separate report issued earlier today that Apple and Sharp are also working together on displays for an Apple television set, with a retooled Sharp manufacturing line preparing to begin mass production of those obviously much larger displays in February.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in a Few Months With These 12 New Features

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:00 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are around three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Friday June 27, 2025 9:52 am PDT by
Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below. CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot...

Top Rated Comments

divinox Avatar
178 months ago
Just hope they don't cheat on the viewing angles.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brock2621 Avatar
178 months ago
Please take my money already
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Redneck1089 Avatar
178 months ago
Apple works forward, not backwards. It's either same thickness or thinner.

The iPhone 3G and 3GS were both thicker than the original iPhone.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jav6454 Avatar
178 months ago


Please take my money already

...

Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whooleytoo Avatar
178 months ago
I'd rather they didn't make it thinner, rather kept it the same size and (if possible) increased the battery size to improve battery life.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
soco Avatar
178 months ago
The iPhone 3G and 3GS were both thicker than the original iPhone.
Exactly. Just because something may become a bit thicker, does not necessarily mean it became worse.

I look forward to what they come up with this time around. A milimeter here or there, not a big deal.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)