Massive demand for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus may have resulted in Apple’s eagerly anticipated 12.9-inch Retina iPad being pushed back to 2015, according to a new report in the Wall Street Journal. This chimes with August reports from Bloomberg claiming that the mythical iPad Maxi would arrive by early next year.
Apple reportedly planned to produce the larger iPad in mass volume starting in December, but had to put that idea on hold so its supply chain can fulfill iPhone 6 orders — particularly for the iPhone 6 Plus, which has proven more popular than even Apple expected.
One supply chain source is quoted in the article as saying, “It would be challenging for display makers to split resources and spend a few months to ramp up production for a new larger screen iPad now.”
The Wall Street Journal says Foxconn — the manufacturer handling iPhone 6 Plus production — is currently struggling to meet orders for the larger, 5.5-inch iPhone and that chairman Terry Gou is touring factories in Zhengzhou to personally oversee operations.
The report also references the upcoming 12-inch Retina MacBook Air, which it affirms is entering mass-production in December.
Apple’s next big media event is scheduled for Thursday, October 16. Although the media invites don’t say what is likely to be announced, the agenda is likely to include new iMacs and iPads — though not necessarily the 12.9-inch model.
