Apple Adding Second Manufacturer for Forthcoming iPad Update?

ipad 2 boxDigiTimes reports that Apple is planning to bring on a second manufacturing partner for the iPad as part of the rollout of the updated models rumored for release later this year.

Apple reportedly plans to add a second manufacturer for iPad 3 tablet PCs in addition to Foxconn Electronics with Taiwan-based Quanta Computer and [Pegatron] Technology being indicated as the potential contenders for the possible orders, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

[Pegatron], which reportedly have landed iPhone 5 orders from Apple, stands a better chance of winning the iPad 3 orders, the sources noted.

Both Pegatron and Quanta are existing manufacturing partners for Apple, with Pegatron being responsible for CDMA iPhone 4 production while Quanta is a long-time partner for Mac production.

The report notes that Apple's decision to add a new manufacturer for the iPad is due in significant part to the explosion at Foxconn's new production plant in Chengdu that killed three workers and saw the company temporarily halt work in all of its polishing shops as it investigated the incident. That series of events reportedly convinced Apple of the need to diversify its manufacturing partnerships in order to minimize risk.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
apple intelligence black

Report: Apple's AI Strategy Could Finally Pay Off in 2026

Tuesday December 30, 2025 9:01 am PST by
Apple's restrained artificial intelligence strategy may pay off in 2026 amid the arrival of a revamped Siri and concerns around the AI market "bubble" bursting, The Information argues. The speculative report notes that Apple has taken a restrained approach with AI innovations compared with peers such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in data...
apple fitness 2026 1

Apple Teases 'Something Big' Coming Soon to Apple Fitness+

Tuesday December 30, 2025 2:11 pm PST by
The Apple Fitness+ Instagram account today teased that the service has "big plans" for 2026. In a video, several Apple Fitness+ trainers are shown holding up newspapers with headlines related to Apple Fitness+. What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year? Something Big is Coming to Apple Fitness+ The Countdown Begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is Almost Here 2026 Plans Still Under ...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup

Monday December 29, 2025 10:55 am PST by
Apple is rumored to be introducing a foldable iPhone in September 2026, and since it will bring the biggest form factor change since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, curiosity about the design is high. A 3D designer created an iPhone Fold design based on rumors, and we printed it out to see how it compares to Apple's current iPhones. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max Users Report Static Speaker Noise While Charging

Tuesday December 30, 2025 10:39 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max owners are having trouble with the speakers of their devices, and have complained about a static or hissing noise that occurs when the iPhone is charging. There are multiple discussions about the issue on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and Apple's Support Community, where affected users say there is a noticeable static noise "like an old radio." Some people report...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...

Top Rated Comments

Yvan256 Avatar
189 months ago
Old saying is still true today

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HarryKeogh Avatar
189 months ago
I wonder if this is linked to the rumours of an iPad factory in Brazil from a while ago.

God, that is going to be such a sexy factory.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zimmer62943 Avatar
189 months ago
come on guys, do you REALLY think there is going to be another ipad released this year? these rumours should stop just like that old iphone mini one that has been going since iphone was first announced... so where is it??
There will be NO ipad 2.5, 2S, HD, 3 etc this year.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xraydoc Avatar
189 months ago
LOL



Whatever we end up seeing, I am going to wait. I am looking for USB ports for my thumb drive, I'm ok either way with having high def screens and maybe SD card slots (as long as I get the USB ports).



I am taking all these rumors with a grain of salt (and sugar for good measure, lol). The only proof we will have of anything is when we see it in front of our faces. Until then, we can't be sure.

No iPad 3 this year. No iPad 2 HD - Apple would never want to marginalize the existing iPad 2 has somehow being inferior - not HD - especially when tons of iPad apps call themselves "HD" versions (i.e., Angry Birds, Angry Birds HD).

There's no financial sense in Apple rushing to spend the money to modify the iPad 2 production specs when they still sell every single one they make.

While it's only my opinion, like all the other speculation here, I don't foresee a new iPad until March.

And as for a micro-SD card slot, keep dreaming. Since no other Apple product contains a micro-SD card, there's no reason to put such a slot on the iPad. Standard SD cards found in cameras (and flash thumb drives with a DCIM folder) can be read with the Camera Connection Kit that Apple sells. And since there's no user-accessible file system on the iPad, Apple has no motivation to open up accessing documents on a thumb drives. You're meant to use iCloud (eventually) for that.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Popeye206 Avatar
189 months ago
"iPad HD". That is so bizarre. If this is true it's because the only thing iPad is lagging behind in is the screen res. I have an iPad 2, but I will treat this as a, "3GS" and wait for a fully realized iPad 3 or 4. My iPad just sits on my coffee table for guests to doodle around on. I would imagine most of us have a Macbook Pro as well to fill that, "Prosumer" void.

I love how just because the iPad is not a retina screen "it's lagging". For goodness sake, it's as good as or better 90% of the laptops on the market. It's not lagging that much unless you compare to the iPhone 4.

Don't get me wrong... I'd love a HD screen for the iPad, but I don't see what's so horrible about the current screen.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Day48 Avatar
189 months ago
So is it "iPad 3" or the previous rumor "iPad 'HD' or 'Pro'" To many different rumors. No body knows anything. I doubt its this year...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)