Samsung Supplying Apple with Panels for iPad Air 2 and 12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro' Later This Year

Samsung will supply Apple with displays for the second-generation iPad Air and the 12.9-inch 'iPad Pro' starting later this year, reports Korean-news outlet inews24 (via Digitimes). The Korean company will begin manufacturing the displays in the coming months, as the panels are said to feature IPS technology similar to Apple's current line of iPads.

ipad_air_touch_id_mockup_2

Physical mockup of the second-generation iPad Air

If the report is legitimate, it is likely that Apple will have a steady supply of panels for its first batch of iPad Air 2 units, which may launch in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season. Some reports have also claimed that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro could be released in early 2015, which may lead to Samsung becoming the top supplier of displays for the new tablet if other suppliers are unable to meet Apple's demands.

12_9_ipad_macbook_air

Rendering of a 12.9-inch iPad next to a 13-inch MacBook Air

Apple has been attempting to reduce its reliance on Samsung as a component supplier due to tensions between the two companies as they have become top competitors in the mobile device market. However, Samsung's technological advantages and production capacity as a display supplier have proven valuable to Apple over the years, as the Korean company even became Apple's top iPad display supplier in Q1 2014.

The iPad Air 2 is rumored to feature a slightly thinner body, a faster A8 processor, 2GB of RAM, support for Apple Pay, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Meanwhile, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is said to include a more powerful A8X processor to power its larger, high-resolution display.

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad Pro
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Top Rated Comments

Mr Fusion Avatar
141 months ago
iPad Pro. I don't get it... What's the advantage of having more screen real estate on an iPad? A laptop running a full OS sure, but a tablet crippled with a feature-missing mobile OS? :confused:
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keniutek Avatar
141 months ago
For the 12.9 to make any sense... it needs to run O SX (because iOS is a joke on a device like iPad).
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
farewelwilliams Avatar
141 months ago
"Samsung Said to Be Copying Apple with Panels for Samsung Galaxy Tab Early Next Year"
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
141 months ago
There seems to be a sad contingent of Apple fans that inevitably get their collective panties twisted whenever Samsung is mentioned as a supplier for Apple. This I don't understand. Apple doesn't seem to care enough not to use them. So why should we? In the end, it's business. It always has been. It always will be. Apple will use whomever they have to use to continue generating profit... moralizing be damned.

I personally don't give a hoot about who's components are inside as long as the final product meets my expectations. If it's Samsung's components, so be it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brucku Avatar
141 months ago
pro

It will be interesting to see what the iPad Pro uses for software. Believe it or not, Microsoft has the "Pro" idea done right. It's a full featured Laptop OS without a keyboard. For the iPad to truly compete I'm thinking we need Yosemite optimized for stylus input.

Simply a larger iPad Air should not carry the name "Pro". Perhaps apple will not try to compete in this space and will simply give us an iPad Plus.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lancer Avatar
141 months ago
So the iPad Air 2 will be thinner, how will it pass the bend tests :rolleyes:
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)