Apple Lining Up iPad 3 Suppliers in Face of Increasing Number of Competitors - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Lining Up iPad 3 Suppliers in Face of Increasing Number of Competitors

123254 ipad 4 2 profile

Digitimes reports on several Taiwan-based companies that have been picked to supply parts for the upcoming iPad 3.

Taiwan-based IC design houses Novatek Microelectronics, Richtek Technology, Capella Microsystems (Taiwan) and Integrated Memory Logic (iML) have reportedly entered the supply chain for iPad 3, according to industry sources.

The exact companies aren't likely of much interest to our readers, but Digitimes also claims that Apple seems more willing to use integrated circuits from Taiwan-based manufacturers "as it is adjusting the cost structure for iPad tablets in order to compete with an array of tablet PCs to be launched by rivals in the second half of 2011."

It's not entirely clear what this will mean to the customer in the end. Lower cost parts may mean less expensive iPads, but it may simply offer more capabilities at the same price. Apple's roadmap for the iPad 3 remains unclear as there have been numerous conflicting reports about the iPad 3's capabilities and release date.

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

Popular Stories

iphone fold text

iPhone Fold Production Pushed Back, But Fall 2026 Launch Still on Track

Monday April 13, 2026 1:44 pm PDT by
Production on the iPhone Fold is behind schedule, but the device is still slated to launch in fall 2026, reports DigiTimes. The site says that production has been pushed back by "roughly one to two months," but Apple has not communicated any launch delays to suppliers. Apple is still planning for a 2026 launch, which suggests a tighter production schedule. Apple planned to begin iPhone Fold...
iPad A16 Colors

Here's When to Expect an iPad 12 With Apple Intelligence

Friday May 1, 2026 8:21 am PDT by
A new entry-level iPad 12 with Apple Intelligence support likely remains months away, based on a comment shared by an Apple executive this week. On an earnings call on Thursday, Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh said that the company's iPad revenue in the March-June quarter will face a "difficult compare" due to the the launch of the entry-level iPad 11 with the A16 chip in March 2025. Parekh is...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...

Top Rated Comments

Neodym Avatar
193 months ago
Rumours say iPad 3 this year. Jobs says 2011 year of iPad 2. I believe Jobs on this one.
It's ridiculous how people take a presentation slide to interpret whatever they want to believe!

Steve never said that there won't be any other tablet product to be released except for the the current iPad 2. The linked slide said "2011: Year of the iPad 2".

If iPad 2 has been sold for more than half of the year, one could say it has been the year of the iPad 2.

If the numbers of the iPad 2 exceed those of a potential iPad 3 (or iPad 2 HD) it would still be the year of the iPad 2.

If Apple would release an iPad 2 HD it would also still be the year of the iPad 2.

There are dozens of possibilities - even a non-native speaker like myself can understand that!

Oh and btw: business is war - an experienced boss like Steve would not give away too much information too soon!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rosalindavenue Avatar
193 months ago
Maybe they are locking in the parts and perhaps even starting manufacture of the iPad 3 later this year so that when they ship it in March 2012 they won't have the horrible supply bottlenecks that have plagued them with iPads 1 and 2.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
193 months ago
iPad 3 rumours already?

Must be running our of iPhone 5 rumours...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sardonick007 Avatar
193 months ago
ipad 3 is going to rule the world if they get their content providers sorted. Stil no proper magazine or feed subscirptions here in euroland. Can't get fortune or Time magazine on iPad subscription.

Content is one thing, I just hope "willing to use..." doesn't mean "wiling to compromise" I would hate to lose quality to save a few bucks.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nerdo Avatar
193 months ago
ipad 3 is going to rule the world if they get their content providers sorted. Stil no proper magazine or feed subscirptions here in euroland. Can't get fortune or Time magazine on iPad subscription.

Would also love a retina display iPad3 navigation that can use a bluetooth rearview camera :)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
193 months ago
The Apple pricing structure

The iPads, like all other Apple products, will almost assuredly NEVER GO DOWN IN PRICE. Nothing ever does (there are a handful of exceptions). They always keep the price the same, but add "more" features or new technology. Price of 1996 PowerMac 7100/66: $2500, price of base Mac Pro tower 2011: $2500.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)