WSJ: iPad 3 Will Launch Early 2012 with Retina Display

According to sources for The Wall Street Journal, Apple’s third-generation iPad will come packing an impressive 2048 x 1536 Retina display, and is set to launch in early 2012.

Suppliers have already shipped components for sampling of the iPad 3, according to the report, which cites sources “familiar with the situation,” and the device will launch early next year:

The next generation iPad is expected to feature a high resolution display – 2048 by 1536 compared with 1024 by 768 in the iPad 2 – and Apple’s suppliers have already shipped small quantities of components for the sampling of the iPad 3. Suppliers said Apple has placed orders for a 9.7-inch screen device.

Sources have indicated that a “trial run” will begin in October of this year, and that Apple has already placed order for a number of the iPad 3’s key components.

Unfortunately there’s no indication of just how early next year we can expect to see the device, but I’m guessing it will be around the 12-month anniversary of the second-generation model.

• Via MacRumors

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