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Samsung Sole Supplier for Retina Display in New iPad?

Tuesday March 13, 2012 9:40 am PDT by Eric Slivka
Bloomberg reports on comments from IHS iSuppli analyst Vinita Jakhanwal claiming that Samsung is currently serving as the sole supplier of the ultra-high resolution Retina display in the new iPad. Previous reports had indicated the Sharp and LG would also be supplying displays for the device.
Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) will supply the touch screen for Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s new iPad after LG Display Co. (034220) and Sharp Corp. (6753) didn’t meet the U.S. company’s quality requirements, according to an analyst with iSuppli.

Samsung, the world’s top flat-panel maker, currently is the sole vendor of the display for the 9.7-inch device, said Vinita Jakhanwal, a senior manager at iSuppli, a unit of Englewood, Colorado-based IHS Inc.
Sharp's role in the new Retina iPad display has been particularly murky, with some sources claiming that the company was responsible for a new design intended for the display and that it would be a key manufacturing partner for Apple. Rumors of Sharp failing to meet Apple's quality control standards surfaced in January, although a photo of a leaked display from Sharp surfaced a few weeks later. Another report from last month similarly suggested that Sharp was not a part of Apple's supply chain for the new iPad display, despite having designed the component.


Apple and Samsung have a complicated relationship given the fact that Samsung provides a substantial number of components for Apple's iOS devices even as it competes with Apple through its own Android-based hardware. Apple has reportedly been seeking to reduce its reliance on Samsung in light of the competition between the two companies, but market forces and technical considerations clearly trump that desire, and Apple is continuing to use Samsung when it is Apple's best option for a particular component.

Related Roundup: iPad
Tags: Samsung, IHS iSuppli
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
[ 261 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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ShiftyPig
98 months ago
The FB's can say whatever they want, but Samsung makes the best displays in the world. If you want the best iPad, you're about stuck using Samsung.
Rating: 20 Votes
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ghostlines
98 months ago
Deal with the Devil

Samsung's to money hungry to boycott Apple, and same goes for Apple. These guys have such a love hate relationship.
Rating: 19 Votes
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toddybody
98 months ago
Apple:

Samsung hardware is total junk...er, um except when theyre making our "revolutionary"/"unmatched"/"stunning"/"industry leading" display.


Come on :apple:, :rolleyes:
Rating: 14 Votes
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JBaker122586
98 months ago
For my money, Samsung makes the best HDTVs on the market, so I'm fine with them making the display on my new iPad.
Rating: 13 Votes
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AJH1993
98 months ago

I just cancelled my order for new iPad. I refuse to support the Samsung legal warchest by purchasing products with their components inside. I'll wait until Apple uses a different display maker later this summer in the new iPad.


That's kinda... narrow minded.
Rating: 13 Votes
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AppleScruff1
98 months ago

So is this this be a dilemma for hardcore fanboys...??? The way some have been carrying on in the Apple v Samsung threads, you would expect them to avoid the new Ipad.... but me thinks we have a lot of hypocrites on MR ;)

Ltd! What do you think?? They are Evil.... but they make these retina screens....


I'm sure what you posted won't be too popular here, but it is true. Samsung sucks, but it's ok as long as it benefits Apple. How many posts have you read here wishing that Samsung would go out of business, etc? Comical, isn't it?
Rating: 12 Votes
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gpat
98 months ago

lol what?! Samsung you just dug your own grave..


Strange, I assume that Samsung makes displays for a profit.
Rating: 11 Votes
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Menopause
98 months ago

Well that's nice of Samsung.

You know, considering Apple wants them virtually wiped off the face of the earth.


Samsung probably secured billions of dollars worth of contracts to supply Apple with what they need. That spells a little death in the face of Samsung's display production competitors. Money from an enemy is still money baby! :D
Rating: 10 Votes
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camnchar
98 months ago
I wonder if business or politics makes stranger bedfellows?
Rating: 10 Votes
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kaizenmx
98 months ago

I hate Samsung. I hate their litigating against Apple. I hate their rip offs and meh too copycat products. My thinking is quite rational. A big part of the manufacturing cost of the new iPad is going towards the display. I don't want my money going to Samsung. Apple will bring other display manufacturers into the process. When they do, I'll buy one then. I'm in no hurry.

In another word, you are butthurt because apple is being a complete douche to Samsung.

:rolleyes:
Rating: 9 Votes

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