Rumor: Apple considering 12.9-inch iPads with 2K and 4K resolutions for 2014 launch
Adding to rumors that Apple is seriously considering a larger iPad model, a Chinese website on Tuesday claims Foxconn has built five prototype versions of the alleged 12.9-inch tablet featuring 2K or 4K screen resolutions.
Citing a people familiar with the matter, Chinese publication PadNews claims Apple is testing five different 12.9-inch iPad models built by partner manufacturer Foxconn. Further, the company may launch a version with a 2K resolution screen in the first half of 2014, then debut an even higher resolution 4K model a few months later.
The publication quotes sources as saying the first of the larger iPad models could hit store shelves in April, with the 4K ultra-HD iteration coming during the regular iPad product update cycle in October.
While the terms "2K" and "4K" were tossed about in the report, it made no mention of specific panel resolutions. Currently, the iPad Air boasts a 9.7-inch Retina display with a 2,048-by-1,536 pixel resolution, which by many standards is already a 2K panel.
Tuesday's rumor is not the first suggest Apple is building a larger-sized iPad. In November, a report from The Korea Times cited an official at a local Apple parts supplier as saying the 12.9-inch Retina display was already being manufactured by a "first-tier" Korean display maker. Earlier that month, the source of today's rumor said Apple was in advanced testing of either an 11.4-inch or 12.9-inch tablet.
Finally, separate reports from The Wall Street Journal and Chinese publication United Daily News claimed a larger iPad was in the works.
As tablets continue to take over the PC landscape, Apple could be looking to stay ahead of the curve with additional screen size offerings. A 12.9-inch iPad panel would come close to the company's smallest MacBook Pro and surpass the 11.6-inch MacBook Air thin-and-light.
Citing a people familiar with the matter, Chinese publication PadNews claims Apple is testing five different 12.9-inch iPad models built by partner manufacturer Foxconn. Further, the company may launch a version with a 2K resolution screen in the first half of 2014, then debut an even higher resolution 4K model a few months later.
The publication quotes sources as saying the first of the larger iPad models could hit store shelves in April, with the 4K ultra-HD iteration coming during the regular iPad product update cycle in October.
While the terms "2K" and "4K" were tossed about in the report, it made no mention of specific panel resolutions. Currently, the iPad Air boasts a 9.7-inch Retina display with a 2,048-by-1,536 pixel resolution, which by many standards is already a 2K panel.
Tuesday's rumor is not the first suggest Apple is building a larger-sized iPad. In November, a report from The Korea Times cited an official at a local Apple parts supplier as saying the 12.9-inch Retina display was already being manufactured by a "first-tier" Korean display maker. Earlier that month, the source of today's rumor said Apple was in advanced testing of either an 11.4-inch or 12.9-inch tablet.
Finally, separate reports from The Wall Street Journal and Chinese publication United Daily News claimed a larger iPad was in the works.
As tablets continue to take over the PC landscape, Apple could be looking to stay ahead of the curve with additional screen size offerings. A 12.9-inch iPad panel would come close to the company's smallest MacBook Pro and surpass the 11.6-inch MacBook Air thin-and-light.
Comments
Totally makes sense, Apple has trouble getting mass produced 326dpi 7.9" screens for the iPad mini retina, I'm sure they'll have no problem getting 12.9" screens at 500+dpi next year!
/sarcasm
Adding to rumors that Apple is seriously considering
Very believable.
However, I would not take it this as any indication of anything other than what it is.
Apple makes all kinds of stuff that are simply testbeds for different technology/ideas and not as a prototype for an actual product.
64 bit OS, Desktop class architecture?
Mapping advancements, 3D sensors, Social analytics engine?
Yep. I believe it all.
A whole new class of computing is coming.
I believe it. Queue the stupid "MaxiPad" jokes. But really, I think it's a great next step.
I also believe in the possibility of an "iPad Pro" next year, but expecting mass produced 4K screens at 12.9" for 2014 is wishful thinking.
I am not sure I am sold on the larger size. I was very bullish on all previous iterations... but I am trying to get my head around the use cases and who the target users are. The only scenario I can see for average users is if they combine this with notebook capabilities that can morph back and forth into a tablet. For the pro market, I see it for targeted or selective markets.
It will be interesting to see what Apple has up their sleeves if this is truly a path they are taking.
A 4K screen would be FOUR 1080p panels or (3840x2160) or about 8Megapixels. According to Wikipedia, 2K is 2048×1080 which is less than the 2048X1536 of the current iPads.
Neither, by definition, are 4x3 aspect ratio screens. Would Apple make a 16x9 iPad if it was 12.9" across? I doubt it. But would they do 4x the current iPad or 4096x3072? Hmmmmm...
Or…. the 12.9" 4K screen is not for an iPad, but a Retina Display Macbook Air, Pro, or other? 4K screen laptop to go with a 4K display yet to be announced.
Hey. I can dream!
With a resolution of 2048x1536, I would be okay with saying the iPad already has a 2k display.
If the 12.9" iPad is a real thing, they probably would want to make sure the DPI is high enough to warrant the Retina name. Current iPad resolutions would be a bit low DPI wise on a 12.9" display. But doubling the resolution again would get them to a high enough DPI, make it easier on developers and have a 4K display as well. If they can pull it off, it would be a big win for them.
And for anyone saying they can't possibly do it in 2014 - how many of you said that the iPad mini wouldn't go Retina until 2014 at the earliest?
If Apple shipped a 4:3 display with a 4k horizontal resolution, it would have more pixels than an UHD display. I don't think there would be an issue with them calling that a 4K display, except knowing Apple, they would probably come up with their own term for it. Retina Pro, anyone?
I believe it. Queue the stupid "MaxiPad" jokes. But really, I think it's a great next step.
you just wanted to write "MaxiPad" didn't you.
I don't see the point of having a higher definition screen on the iPhone. I can't see pixels, so why go high def and force battery life to suffer?
I would consider this unlikely, but today, wishing my iPad was the size of a pad of paper (8 1/2 x 11), I may have to reconsider. An iPad that size and the same weight of a pad of paper might be useful.
I would consider this unlikely, but today, wishing my iPad was the size of a pad of paper (8 1/2 x 11), I may have to reconsider. An iPad that size and the same weight of a pad of paper might be useful.
It's interesting you mention that specific size. What benefit would an iPad that size offer you that the iPad Air currently does not?
I would consider this unlikely, but today, wishing my iPad was the size of a pad of paper (8 1/2 x 11), I may have to reconsider. An iPad that size and the same weight of a pad of paper might be useful.
8.5" x 11" display with a 4:3 aspect ratio would make the diagonal 13.9". Makes more sense than 12.9". A larger display is desirable for creative pros, but only if it is pressure sensitive with a revamped touch interface, that in addition to the existing one centred around the finger, would also allow for the greater accuracy of a stylus. This would require a finer granularity of the coordinate system in the touch layer and the algorithms necessary to support it. With pressure sensitivity built-in, it would be system-wide and available to all apps.