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

iOS 26

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
Photos App Icon Liquid Glass

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...
iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
Intel Inside iPhone Feature

Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone. In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
ive and altman

Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name

Friday December 5, 2025 6:22 am PST by
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports. iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:27 am PST by
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...

Top Rated Comments

Yvan256 Avatar
188 months ago
Old saying is still true today

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HarryKeogh Avatar
188 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
188 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
188 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
188 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
188 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)