Samsung official claims Apple plans to release 7.85-inch iPad this year
Adding to rumors of a smaller iPad from Apple, an unnamed Samsung official allegedly told an Korean publication that the company plans to release a 7.85-inch tablet later this year.
The detail was included in a recent report from Korea Times, as highlighted on Tuesday by SlashGear. Citing an anonymous Samsung source, it was said that Apple is expected to buy about $11 billion in total components for a range of devices, including a smaller iPad.
The current contract between Samsung and Apple is said to be for about $9.7 billion in parts. But that contract is expected to grow to about $11 billion as Apple secures display panels, flash storage, chips and more.
Apple bought an estimated $7.8 billion in parts from Samsung in 2011, making Apple the single largest customer of Samsung. In addition to supplying components, Samsung also builds its own devices that compete with companies like Apple in the smartphone, PC, media player and tablet markets.
The source quoted in the original report claims that the smaller iPad will "probably" have a 7.85-inch screen. That's the same size that has been referenced in numerous other reports.
The Wall Street Journal reported in February that Apple was working with its overseas suppliers to test a new iPad model with a smaller form factor of around 8 inches. However, it was cautioned that Apple works with suppliers to test new designs regularly, but such devices do not always see the light of day.
Since the Journal chimed in, reports claiming Apple is at work on a smaller iPad model have picked up considerable steam. This month alone it has been claimed that Apple has inked a deal with AU Optronics for displays for the device, while production is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2012.
And on Monday, another rumor from the Far East claimed that Apple will utilize a "slim bezel display" for its 7.85-inch iPad, with screens expected to be supplied by LG Display and AU Optronics. The new, smaller iPad is rumored to be targeted toward the sub-$300 market, priced at either $249 or $299 to more directly compete with the $199 Amazon Kindle Fire.
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Comments
It'd be funny if they released it as the new iPod touch. Don't know why, but it'd make me laugh.
Quite possible. Since the touch is declining year over year, this could be a way to bring more business to it... make it a bit bigger, Retina display, better for gaming...
* Yes, I know it's much older than MS.
Sue them!! Right here right now! NDA breach!
No contract for you!
Quite possible. Since the touch is declining year over year, this could be a way to bring more business to it... make it a bit bigger, Retina display, better for gaming...
I don't think a bigger 'touch' is a joke by any stretch of the imagination.
The rumored screen is almost exactly 2X current size (4x area) so scaling of existing iPhone/touch apps to retina (with updated graphics) would be simple.
Lets face it... Windows 8 has shown what seems to be a logical model of having the dev environment offer options for all potential layouts, including side-by-side and tiles.
I don't think its any stretch to assume that Apple is heading in the same direction, allowing developers to scale to any size device they want right up front.
And with 2 years since last touch update, this fall would be the perfect time to release the new, large format touch.
I think it would be brilliant... scale up to 7", not down to 7". No finger files necessary.
Quite possible. Since the touch is declining year over year, this could be a way to bring more business to it... make it a bit bigger, Retina display, better for gaming...
iPod Xl makes all your games and movies...and I got nothing.
iPod Xl could be awesome, just don't let me market it.
Well, it could be true and if so, Apple should slam Samsung with a lawsuit for breaking (what I'm sure must be) NDAs.
Samsung execs may not have worked with Apple enough to know that secrecy is involved. And they probably sign a lot of stuff without reading it. I?m sure Apple will just chuckle at the leak... or the misinformation, whichever. No biggie between friends!
The rumored screen is almost exactly 2X current size (4x area) so scaling of existing iPhone/touch apps to retina (with updated graphics) would be simple.
it's also perfect for scaling down existing iPad apps, assuming a retina display. And if the price point were low enough for a bare-bones wifi model, it would destroy the Fire.
It'd be funny if they released it as the new iPod touch. Don't know why, but it'd make me laugh.
I think that is exactly what is happening. Why else would they do nothing with the touch last fall. Either they are killing it or about to totally revamp it. And a new size would make it more that just n iPhone that doesn't make calls
I think that is exactly what is happening. Why else would they do nothing with the touch last fall. Either they are killing it or about to totally revamp it. And a new size would make it more that just n iPhone that doesn't make calls
Factor in the changes to the iPad name for version 3.
Should be an interesting year.
Samsung, "DO NOT BUY THE NEW IPAD WHICH IS JUST RELEASED."
(btw, I'm a Korean, and I'm very much aware of Samsung's way.)
[translation]
Samsung, "DO NOT BUY THE NEW IPAD WHICH IS JUST RELEASED."
(btw, I'm a Korean, and I'm very much aware of Samsung's way.)
That probably is their angle, but if so that is so weak.
Let me tell you. The iPad2 (and new Ipad) is nice but too heavy. The iPhone screen is too small. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 has a beautiful Super AMOLED screen (1200x800) that is what Apple wants. It is vastly superior to yesterday's IPS LCD! the Tab is also very light, thin and has a 10+ hour battery. Apple has to compete with this superior tech.
I do not believe that Apple will sabotage its own fabulously successful, highly profitable iPad to try and compete with something like the Fire, which, for all we know, could have totally bombed in the marketplace (as every other small tablet has), after a brief spurt during the Christmas season.