iPad 5 Will Be Thinner And Lighter Thanks To iPad Mini Display Tech [Rumor]

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Given what a smash success the iPad mini is, it’s reasonable to assume that the next-generation iPad might borrow a few design queues from it’s little sibling. Indeed, we’ve already heard the first rumors of just that. Technologically speaking, though, how will Apple make the iPad 5 as thin and light as the mini? By aping the mini’s display technology.

The quasi-notorious Digitimes claims that according to their industry sources, the iPad 5 will use the same thin-film touchscreen as in the iPad mini.

That tech is called GF2 DITO. Says Digitimes:

Apple’s next generation 9.7-inch iPad will reportedly use the same G/F2 (DITO) thin-film type touch screen structure as the company’s iPad mini

The supply chain for Apple’s next-generation 9.7-inch iPad will be similar to the iPad mini’s, with Japan-based Nitto expected to supply thin-film materials and Nissha Printing touch screen modules, noted the sources. Taiwan-based TPK will be responsible for the device’s lamination while LG Display (LGD) and Sharp will provide panels, added the sources.

In the past, GF2 DITO tech has caused supply constraint problems for Apple in regards to the iPad mini, and the difficulty of producing the tech has been rumored to be at least one reason why the iPad mini starts at $329 instead of $249 or even $299. However, according to Digitimes, these supply issues have now been resolves. Could that also mean a price drop is coming to the mini sometime soon?

Source: Digitimes
Via: iPhoneinCanada.ca

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