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 (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

divinox Avatar
157 months ago
Just hope they don't cheat on the viewing angles.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brock2621 Avatar
157 months ago
Please take my money already
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Redneck1089 Avatar
157 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
157 months ago


Please take my money already

...

Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whooleytoo Avatar
157 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
157 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)

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