Reuters specifically refutes a Bloomberg report from yesterday which claimed Samsung is the sole supplier for the new iPad's Retina display after LG and Sharp failed to meet Apple's quality requirement. According to a Reuters source, LG is indeed providing displays for the device.

Flat screen maker LG Display Co Ltd is supplying touch-screen panels for Apple Inc's new iPad, a source close to the matter said on Wednesday. [...]

"LG is also in a panel supply deal with Samsung for the new iPad," the source said.

ipad retina iphoto
Bloomberg's claim had generated significant interest given the tenuous relationship between Apple and Samsung. Apple relies on Samsung for billions of dollars' worth of components for its products even as it fights a legal battle over Samsung's Android-based hardware.

Update: Dow Jones Newswires offers more detail on the situation, describing Sharp's issues with display production and noting that LG did initially experience delays before meeting Apple's requirements.

When Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) new iPad tablet computers go on sale Friday, they won't be equipped with Sharp Corp.'s (6753.TO) liquid crystal display panels because there has been a delay in the Japanese electronics maker's delivery due to some difficulties in customizing its panels based on Apple's strict requirements, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Sharp, which makes screens for consumer electronics and its Aquos-based LCD TVs, hasn't yet started delivering the panels but it will likely do so as early as this month in an attempt to make the next batch of iPad shipments from Apple, the person, who declined to be named, said.

Sharp originally planned to start delivering the panels to Apple in late December, but it faced a series of difficulties in the process of customizing the panels according to the U.S. company's requirements for the new iPad, the person said.

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

Top Rated Comments

Agent OrangeZ Avatar
178 months ago
I guess Sharp's screens weren't quite sharp enough....
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
centauratlas Avatar
178 months ago
If true, this is a positive. No company (or person) should be reliant on a single supplier for so much.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ncc1701d Avatar
178 months ago
Interesting seeing people would prefer the samsung panel. I'm hoping for the LG. Frankly I'd prefer a Sharp product, but looks as though they won't be coming out for a while.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
perealb Avatar
178 months ago
the manufacturers will have to design a product development cycle though.

the fact that they can design a cycle that can produce such screens is almost as amazing as the retina display itself.
Right. What's the most important in the Samsung (and LG) deal is their infrastructure. They can do the job fast in large scale with good quality.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M-O Avatar
178 months ago
If true, this is a positive. No company (or person) should be reliant on a single supplier for so much.

they probably had to do this in order to meet the demand. and it's likely they still won't be able to.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KingJosh Avatar
178 months ago


I guess Sharp's screens weren't quite sharp enough....
yah :( I was really hoping sharp could pull it off. I hate seeing corrupt business' getting richer

To anyone that says Apple does not innovate. Mac product designs. OS X. iOS. Maybe you have told your copycat device company the creator so many times that it stuck.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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