Will it or won’t it have a Retina display?
That’s the big question everyone is asking about the second-generation iPad mini, and we’ve been seeing conflicting reports about it for several months. But according to sources “familiar with the matter,” who have been speaking to The Wall Street Journal, it’s “likely” the answer to that question is yes.
Some reports have suggested the iPad mini is already selling well without a Retina display, and so Apple will wait another year before introducing one. Other reports have contradicted that and claimed Apple won’t keep us waiting any longer, and WSJ’s sources seem to agree with that.
Apple is working with suppliers in Asia on its next iPad mini with a high-resolution “Retina” display, unlike the current iPad mini that comes with a lower-resolution screen, the people said… Apple has also been contemplating multiple color back covers for the new tablet, they said.
WSJ reports the new iPad mini will be the same size as the existing one, and that its new displays will come from Sharp, LG Display, and Samsung, “an indication of the difficulty the U.S. company faces in its attempt to reduce its dependency on its biggest rival.”
Samsung wasn’t involved in the production of the original iPad mini’s display — that was up to LG Display and AU Optronics — but if this rumor is correct, it suggests LG and Sharp are unable to produce the numbers Apple will need without Samsung’s help.
“One person said that Apple initially planned to use Sharp and LG Display but later decided to add Samsung to ensure adequate supply of screens,” WSJ reports.
Apple has been trying its best to distance itself from Samsung and source its components from other manufacturers, but with such demand for its iOS devices, that isn’t an easy task. Apple relies on Samsung’s ability to produce quality components in huge quantities, and rival companies are unable to match that.
WSJ notes that “Apple routinely tests various designs and has been known to make changes late in the design process,” and that an iPad mini with Retina display isn’t a complete certainty just yet. However, it looks increasingly likely now — particularly after Google unveiled the new Nexus 7 with a high-resolution screen last week.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
