Apple Turning to Samsung as Low Display Yields for Retina iPad Mini Continue

A new report from Japanese business newspaper Nikkei [Google Translation] (via CNET) has shed light on the production issues surrounding the forthcoming Retina iPad Mini, with Apple now turning to rival Samsung as suppliers Sharp and LG Display have failed to produce an adequate supply of displays for the new tablet.

Apple CEO Tim Cook stated earlier this week during the company's fourth quarter earnings call that that it was “unclear whether we will have enough for the quarter or not,” with a report on Wednesday stating that Sharp’s low yield of displays was reportedly tied to the shortage. ipadminispacegray
It was notably reported back in August that Samsung had become the primary iPad display supplier, as the Korean company along with LG and Japan Display was said to be supplying 7.9-inch panels for the next-generation iPad mini. The Wall Street Journal also commented in July that the Retina iPad mini would use screens from Samsung, LG, and Sharp.

Apple has been reported to be seeking to reduce its reliance on Samsung as a component supplier due to continuing tensions between the two companies as they have increasingly become top competitors in the mobile device market. However, it has been reported for several months now that Apple would be returning to Samsung as a display supplier due to its technological advantages and production capacity.

While supplies of the Retina iPad mini will be constrained, supplies of the iPad Air are expected to be more plentiful, with the company will offer same day in-store pickup for orders of the new full-sized tablet. As noted by Apple during the introduction of the second-generation iPad mini, a Retina display has been one of the most requested features for the smaller iPad since its release last year.

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

Top Rated Comments

cycomiko Avatar
136 months ago
Samsung is evil.

yet the iphone and ipad is full of evil product.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kalsta Avatar
136 months ago
iPad Mini display yields, and the quality of MacRumors page one comments… at least one of them is improving.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bubba Satori Avatar
136 months ago
Samsung is evil.

Genocide is evil.
Seriously. :rolleyes:

----------

And that's the reason why Samsung are evil.
Copy after release, that's bad.
Copy by being frienemy, that's evil.

You really have absolutely no clue what evil is, do you?
How sad and what a frightening thought.
Artists have been copying/drawing inspiration from other artists for millennia.
Are they evil? :rolleyes:
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macchiato2009 Avatar
136 months ago
Why is Apple simply not recognizing that they cannot get rid of Samsung as a supplier

these past years, all new product shortages have proven that current suppliers are not as reliable as Samsung

if Apple wasn't so stubborn, sales would have been much higher and customers not so disappointed about shortages :mad:
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Goff Avatar
136 months ago
Another thread with Samsung in it, another thread with mindless hatred.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MH01 Avatar
136 months ago
I really don't like Samsung, and in general, I'm really glad that Apple is moving away from them as a parts supplier.

That said, they provide Apple with better displays than the other manufacturers, so Apple should keep using them. Preferably increasing the percentage of Samsung displays in their products.
To be honest it would be good if there was another company that could provide the quality and quantity that apple requires.

Sadly Apple is dependent on suppliers for their hardware.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...