As Apple begins to line up suppliers for the production of the iPad mini 2 – that may or may not have a retina display – ET Newsmac reports that AUO has been dropped by Apple as a display supplier for the iPad mini 2.
AUO provided displays for the original iPad mini, but according the to report, the Taiwanese display supplier could not secure any orders from Apple for the iPad mini 2 because it failed to meet the supply deadlines or to develop an LCD with high penetration rate.
Sharp and LG Display have been the other two suppliers for the iPad mini displays and LG has already secured orders for the iPad mini 2 displays. Sharp supposedly should have no problem getting the iPad mini 2 orders either – even though its been having quality issues – because it’s the only supplier of oxide semiconductor LCD, which increases battery efficiency.
ET News notes that Samsung Display could step in and replace AUO:
“The improved relationship between Samsung Display and Apple seems another factor for AOU being dropped.
‘Samsung Display is known to have developed an LCD sample for iPad mini 2. The company may be able to secure more order than Sharp did, if it can stabilize production yields,’ said a person from the LCD industry.”
Because of their bitter rivalry in the smartphone industry, Apple has been trying to ween itself from buying Samsung components for the iPad and iPhone. However, we heard that settlement talks between the two have been renewed lately, so maybe Apple is warming up to the idea of co-existing with Samsung?
Source: ET News
