Following recent issues with iPad displays from LG Display, which has forced the company to turn to rival Samsung, Apple is said to be considering a $1 billion investment in Sharp to secure touch screens for the iPhone and iPad.
MF Global Securities analyst David Rubenstein recently issued a note, outlined by Reuters, in which he writes:
“We think it is highly possible that Apple will make an investment in Sharp’s Kameyama plant to the tune of around $1 billion in order to secure a stable supply of screens for iPhones and iPads.”
An investment in Sharp could increase Apple’s orders from Japanese manufacturers, with an investment in a new LCD factory for Toshiba also rumored to be going ahead. But more importantly, it signifies yet another move away from Samsung, which is currently embroiled a number of legal spats with the Cupertino company that has recently seen the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 pulled from sale in Australia and Europe.
[via 9to5 Mac]