Apple's iPad 3 will be slightly thicker with same screen size - rumor
Apple's third-generation iPad will be slightly thicker than the iPad 2, but will have the same 9.7-inch screen size, and will continue to support the magnetic Smart Cover, according to a new report.
Citing an Asian supplier who is allegedly crafting components for Apple's next iPad, Japanese blog Macotakara reported on Wednesday that the next iPad may be thicker for an "unknown reason." That means third-party cases that cover the back side of the device will not be compatible with the next iPad.
However, Apple's first-party magnetic Smart Covers will remain compatible with the third-generation iPad, the source reportedly said. That's because the new iPad, despite being slightly thicker, will have the same rounded side as the iPad 2.
In addition, two back covers (1, 2) claimed to be from prototype iPad hardware are available for sale on the global commerce site Alibaba.com. The plain aluminum backs do not show an Apple logo.
One reason for a thicker frame on the third-generation iPad could be the components necessary to include a high-resolution Retina Display. Numerous rumors have pointed toward Apple increasing the screen resolution of its iPad with a new model anticipated in 2012.
Apple introduced the Retina Display branding with the iPhone 4 starting in 2010. By packing more pixels onto the same screen size, Apple has boasted that the individual pixels are so small that they cannot be distinguished by the human eye.
In order to include a Retina Display, Apple may adopt entirely new display technology. One report in November suggested Apple would use IGZO displays from Sharp to reach a 330 dots-per-inch screen resolution. But that report claimed the IGZO display would also allow for a future iPad to be thinner, not thicker.
Other reports, however, claimed that Apple would utilize a dual-LED light bar system to illuminate the Retina Display of a third-generation iPad. Apple's apparent difficulties with the higher resolution displays and new LED backlight designs were said to have already affected the launch schedule of the next iPad.
Some of the confusion surrounding the next iPad coming from Apple's supply chain could be explained by a report from early November, which alleged that Apple has tasked its suppliers with the development of two tablet projects, code-named "J1" and "J2." Both of the new models were said to have different sizes, specifications and technologies from the current-generation iPad 2.
Citing an Asian supplier who is allegedly crafting components for Apple's next iPad, Japanese blog Macotakara reported on Wednesday that the next iPad may be thicker for an "unknown reason." That means third-party cases that cover the back side of the device will not be compatible with the next iPad.
However, Apple's first-party magnetic Smart Covers will remain compatible with the third-generation iPad, the source reportedly said. That's because the new iPad, despite being slightly thicker, will have the same rounded side as the iPad 2.
In addition, two back covers (1, 2) claimed to be from prototype iPad hardware are available for sale on the global commerce site Alibaba.com. The plain aluminum backs do not show an Apple logo.
One reason for a thicker frame on the third-generation iPad could be the components necessary to include a high-resolution Retina Display. Numerous rumors have pointed toward Apple increasing the screen resolution of its iPad with a new model anticipated in 2012.
Apple introduced the Retina Display branding with the iPhone 4 starting in 2010. By packing more pixels onto the same screen size, Apple has boasted that the individual pixels are so small that they cannot be distinguished by the human eye.
In order to include a Retina Display, Apple may adopt entirely new display technology. One report in November suggested Apple would use IGZO displays from Sharp to reach a 330 dots-per-inch screen resolution. But that report claimed the IGZO display would also allow for a future iPad to be thinner, not thicker.
Other reports, however, claimed that Apple would utilize a dual-LED light bar system to illuminate the Retina Display of a third-generation iPad. Apple's apparent difficulties with the higher resolution displays and new LED backlight designs were said to have already affected the launch schedule of the next iPad.
Some of the confusion surrounding the next iPad coming from Apple's supply chain could be explained by a report from early November, which alleged that Apple has tasked its suppliers with the development of two tablet projects, code-named "J1" and "J2." Both of the new models were said to have different sizes, specifications and technologies from the current-generation iPad 2.
Comments
I mean, look at all the leaked cases for the 5th gen iPhone that turned out? to? be? OH, RIGHT.
No thinner, no wait thicker, no wait...
What are we waiting for?
No thinner, no wait thicker, no wait...
Yeah, these rumors are brought to you by the same people who claimed the iPhone 4S would be called iPhone 5, have a bigger screen and an aluminium back. Take it with a block of salt.
I think that some of the analysts are guilty of fraud and stock manipulation. Shouldn't some of them be in jail?
What some of them are doing is basically libel.
And we heard the rumor before it will be slightly thicker to accommodate a second LED bar - needed because a higher res screen needs more light.
In order to include a Retina Display, Apple may adopt entirely new display technology. One report in November suggested Apple would use IGZO displays from Sharp to reach a 330 dots-per-inch screen resolution. But that report claimed the IGZO display would also allow for a future iPad to be thinner, not thicker.
330 is what the iPhone has. 960x640 for a 3.5" display equals 329.65 ppi. Doubling the resolution for the iPad to 2048x1536 would give it a 263.92 or 264 ppi. That's well within being Retina Display for the average distance you hold a tablet from you for someone with 20/15 or worse vision.
For the iPad to be 330 ppi the display would have to be 2560x1925 which would mean pushing 4,928,000 pixels. Compare to the iPhone 4/4S pushing only 614,400 pixels, the current iPad pushing 786,432, and Apple's 27" display only are 2560x1440 for 3,686,400 pixels . Even the iPad 3 with 2048x1536 resolution pushing 3,145,728 will be an amazing feat for a tablet with good battery life and performance.
There should be some kind of penalty for gossipy people and analysts who like to start rumors about Apple that turn out to be false.
I think that some of the analysts are guilty of fraud and stock manipulation. Shouldn't some of them be in jail?
What some of them are doing is basically libel.
I figure that apple gets companies to produce fake designs so it can out untrustworthy ones and pull business from them.
iPad 2's back is flat so it can be placed on a desktop without wobble. If anything, the back of iPad 3 has to be flat.
thicker? thats just stupid. no way apple is going to do that. thinner is more likely.
I'm not so sure.
It also has a likelihood of being heavier with those display components, a larger battery and/or beefier components for processing.
iPhone = 135 g
iPhone 3G = 133 g
iPhone 3GS = 135 g
iPhone 4 = 137 g
iPhone 4S = 140 g
I also wouldn't be surprised if this was a higher-end option, not the only display being used, and not at the $499 level. This tech is just too new for this display size to think it'll be a cake walk when Apple already has supply and quality issues with their other 1024x768 displays.
I'm not so sure.
It would be hilarious if it were slightly thicker.
The same exact people who have been whining nonstop about a retina display, would be the same exact people that would whine about it being ever so slightly thicker, even if it gets released and it has a retina display.
It would be hilarious if it were slightly thicker.
The same exact people who have been whining nonstop about a retina display, would be the same exact people that would whine about it being ever so slightly thicker, even if it gets released and it has a retina display.
In any case, I think the display and backlight components will be thicker than n the current iPad's display and components. Whether that translates into the entire product being thicker depends on other factors, like how much bigger they are willing to make the battery to maintain the same usage levels. That assumes Apple doesn't have some special GPU that can allow for 4x the pixels being pushed without any additional power use than the current iPad or some new battery technology. I'm betting on a larger battery.
It's an optical allusion. Your are looking at the inside of it, not the actual back. Thats why theres no logo. Not that I'm convinced in the slightest.
Fake.
iPad 2's back is flat so it can be placed on a desktop without wobble. If anything, the back of iPad 3 has to be flat.
Maybe they are making these so that Samsung copies them and makes their tablets with thick profiles. Then they make the real ones somewhere else thinner than ever.
It's either this or they plan to use a very low voltage Ivy Bridge chip instead of ARM and need to fit a fan in there somewhere.