iPad 3 Expected to Launch in Around March-April

ipad

DigiTimes reports that Apple's next generation iPad will become available in about 3-4 months. The publication's supply chain sources indicate that the next generation iPad parts are starting to ramp up while the iPad 2 production is starting to decline.

OEM production of iPad 2 will remain high at 14-15 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 but decline to 4-5 million units in the first quarter of 2012, paving the way for the launch of the new iPads, the sources noted.

Volume production is expected to start in February and reach 9.5-9.8 million units in the first quarter of 2012.

March or April should come as no surprise to regular Apple followers. While Apple first announced the original iPad in Jan 2010, the company didn't start shipping the first units to customers until April. In 2011, the iPad 2 was announced around the same time of year.

The iPad 3 is widely expected to carry a high resolution "Retina" display.

Top Rated Comments

cvaldes Avatar
160 months ago
Is this news?
No, it's a rumor.

If you want news, please consult www.apple.com.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AJH1993 Avatar
160 months ago
Is this news?

Yes, AND rumors you care about.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
haruhiko Avatar
160 months ago
Yes, AND rumors you care about.

Haha...

I thought that everyone knows that a new iPad is coming in March or April.....
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
haruhiko Avatar
160 months ago
Is this news?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
160 months ago
Cool. I guess now is probably the best time for me to sell my iPad 2 while it still holds very high resale prices & then wait about 3 more months to buy the upcoming iPad 3 with "retina" display. :D

Don't mean to sound rude, but how much do you really need the latest iPad if you can comfortably manage 3+ months without one?

Just curious :confused:
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
splashman Avatar
160 months ago
Will Apple do same with iPad as with iPhone? Sell both models simultaneously?

Two questions:

1) Will Apple sell iPad2 and iPad3 simultaneously, with the iPad2 being the value choice (like iPhone4 or 3GS)? Or will they drop the iPad2 and sell only the iPad3?

Given what they've done with the iPhone, I'm thinking they'll sell both models. Lots of people would be satisfied without a Retina Display, and would prefer to pay less. And lots of folks would gladly pay more for the premium product -- especially business users, who are used to paying a lot for tricked-out laptops.

2) If Apple does sell both models at the same time, will they drop the price of the entry-level iPad2 below $499 (to, for instance, $399) and sell the entry-level iPad3 for $499? Or will they keep the iPad2 at $499 and price the iPad3 higher -- say $599 or $649?

This one I'm less sure about. We know that Apple's margin on the iPad2 is slimmer than their other products, so it's not a foregone conclusion that they'd drop the price on iPad2 like they did on the older iPhones. But given that they have precious little competition so far, they might decide an aggressive move to grab share now will pay dividends later, given the lock-in factor (music and apps).
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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