Rumor: Apple taps Samsung to take over iPad mini display manufacturing from Sharp, AU Optronics
A fresh rumor out of Korea indicates that Apple has begun a round of consolidation among its display manufacturing partners, shifting orders from current suppliers Sharp and AU Optronics to smartphone rival Samsung.
AU Optronics is believed to have fallen out of the iPad mini supply chain completely, while Sharp has had its orders significantly curtailed. The changes are expected to become effective in the second half of 2014, according to a report from Korea's ETNews discovered by GforGames.
Samsung will reportedly take over Sharp's slot in the production of high-resolution Retina display panels for the second-generation iPad mini, strengthening its relationship with Apple even while the two companies battle in court. Fellow South Korean manufacturer LG, which also makes Retina components, is thought to be unaffected by the supply chain movements.
There is no word on who Apple will turn to for the original iPad mini's non-Retina screen with AU Optronics out of the picture, perhaps an indication that the tablet is set to be discontinued. Earlier Tuesday, Apple removed the iPad 2 from store shelves, leaving the iPad mini as the only non-Retina device left in the iPad lineup.
AU Optronics is believed to have fallen out of the iPad mini supply chain completely, while Sharp has had its orders significantly curtailed. The changes are expected to become effective in the second half of 2014, according to a report from Korea's ETNews discovered by GforGames.
Samsung will reportedly take over Sharp's slot in the production of high-resolution Retina display panels for the second-generation iPad mini, strengthening its relationship with Apple even while the two companies battle in court. Fellow South Korean manufacturer LG, which also makes Retina components, is thought to be unaffected by the supply chain movements.
There is no word on who Apple will turn to for the original iPad mini's non-Retina screen with AU Optronics out of the picture, perhaps an indication that the tablet is set to be discontinued. Earlier Tuesday, Apple removed the iPad 2 from store shelves, leaving the iPad mini as the only non-Retina device left in the iPad lineup.
Comments
assuming this rumor is true.
Shamesung don't you dare to put your filthy hands on the iPad!
This is just temporary. Apple is giving less and less to Samsung all the time. They will cut them off completely real soon now.
"Other sources" won't do here, and what does "relatively poor display performance" mean? Please clarify, seriously.
Shamesung don't you dare to put your filthy hands on the iPad!
You are obviously unaware that Samsung make internal components for the iPad already....
This is just temporary. Apple is giving less and less to Samsung all the time. They will cut them off completely real soon now.
In this case Apple is giving More and More to Samsung as they are already providing components for the iPad. Your comment is meaningless.
If true, companies like Apple and Dell created a monster by investing hundreds of millions of dollars into Samsung's display business back in the late 90s.
You are obviously unaware that Samsung make internal components for the iPad already....
And Apple is cutting them out wherever they can, like moving processor production to TSMC.
Someday we'll have Samsung-free Apple products. Though I'm sure the Samsung fanboys will continue to flock to Apple user forums to cry the gospel of Android.
I had high hopes for Sharp but their internal issues may have not been resolved.
There's been several reviews pointing out the somewhat poor color gamut on the Mini Retina compared to the Air's Retina for instance, as show above. The Mini is the bottom one of course.
Even compared to similar 7-8" displays from rivals the Mini Retina didn't fare as well.
http://www.displaymate.com/Tablet_ShootOut_4.htm
Add in reported screen burn-in problems with Sharp's IGZO panels, leading to rumors like these of Apple leaning more heavily on Samsung for their consistent display quality for the next gen iPad Mini.
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2013/11/apple-under-the-gun-to-quickly-solve-current-burn-in-problems-with-retina-display-for-the-new-ipad-mini.html
The current Mini Retina's display just doesn't appear to be up to typical Apple standards.
As much as you want to believe that Apple is moving away from Samsung, there is no evidence to support your case.
assuming this rumor is true.
That's a bad assumption.
Probably 95% of rumors coming from Southeast Asian media sources and the supply chain end up resulting in erroneous conclusions.
Someday they may well move production over to TSMC but that rumor has been going around for years now and hasn't turned out to be true yet.
You are obviously unaware that Samsung make internal components for the iPad already....
You mean that cheap lag micro processors, that every company stays away from it except Apple because they have the ability to take something $hitty and transform it into a great processor A7 chip the most powerfull mobile processor on the market right now
That's unpossible! I thought the previous rumors were that Apple was trying to kick Samsung to the curb for manufacturing parts, not relying on them further.
Samsung is a scum but there's no denying that it does produce HIGH QUALITY products and seems to have excellent team that produce exceptional results.