Light leaks with LG iPad 2 displays make Samsung Apple's new primary supplier
After LG screens for the iPad 2 exhibited issues with light leakage at launch, Apple shifted most of its touchscreen purchases instead to Samsung.
Samsung shipped four million 9.7-inch panels for the iPad in the first quarter, according to DigiTimes. That total put it ahead of rival LG Display and made Samsung the largest touchscreen supplier for Apple.
LG only shipped 3.2 million units in the quarter, as there was a light leakage problem with panels produced at the company's sixth-generation production lines. Sources told the Taiwanese publication that LG has addressed issues with light leakage, and "shipment momentum" is expected to return to the company in the second quarter.
After the iPad 2 launched in March, some users reported issues with light leaks and yellowing on the tablet's 9.7-inch display. Some early iPad 2 units showed light leaking onto the screen around its bezel when displaying a dark image, sometimes referred to as a "flashlight effect."
Apple experienced crushing demand for the iPad 2 after it debuted, and has continued to struggle in restocking units. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook referred to the situation in his company's quarterly earnings conference call as "the mother of all backlogs."
He also admitted that he wishes Apple could have produced a lot more iPad 2 units, as the company sold every device it managed to manufacture following its launch window. But he stopped short of confirming any specific component issues or shortages in the manufacturing process.
"Demand has been staggering, and I'm not going to predict when supply and demand will come into balance," he said. "I can only be confident on the supply side.
Samsung shipped four million 9.7-inch panels for the iPad in the first quarter, according to DigiTimes. That total put it ahead of rival LG Display and made Samsung the largest touchscreen supplier for Apple.
LG only shipped 3.2 million units in the quarter, as there was a light leakage problem with panels produced at the company's sixth-generation production lines. Sources told the Taiwanese publication that LG has addressed issues with light leakage, and "shipment momentum" is expected to return to the company in the second quarter.
After the iPad 2 launched in March, some users reported issues with light leaks and yellowing on the tablet's 9.7-inch display. Some early iPad 2 units showed light leaking onto the screen around its bezel when displaying a dark image, sometimes referred to as a "flashlight effect."
Apple experienced crushing demand for the iPad 2 after it debuted, and has continued to struggle in restocking units. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook referred to the situation in his company's quarterly earnings conference call as "the mother of all backlogs."
He also admitted that he wishes Apple could have produced a lot more iPad 2 units, as the company sold every device it managed to manufacture following its launch window. But he stopped short of confirming any specific component issues or shortages in the manufacturing process.
"Demand has been staggering, and I'm not going to predict when supply and demand will come into balance," he said. "I can only be confident on the supply side.
Comments
I remember back in the 80s/90s when LG used to be GoldStar, they didn't exactly have a reputation for quality back then either. We had a GoldStar TV.
LG=lucky GoldStar
Although I think LG products are now better than what Goldstar was like, you don't want to have to deal with them on warrantee issues.
After dealing with one customer hostile warrantee rep I will never allow another LG product into my house.
For the most part on my iPad 2 i did not notice this issue until I viewed some photos and a movie that did not take up the whole screen. There is definite light leakage and can be really annoying watching a movie in a dark room.
Anyway, do not care much. Will sell it on eBay and buy a new one with more memory anyway :-)
I remember back in the 80s/90s when LG used to be GoldStar, they didn't exactly have a reputation for quality back then either. We had a GoldStar TV.
I had no idea that LG was GoldStar. GoldStar was always third tier if that high as far as I was concerned - that was who made the little TVs or VCRs that you could by for about 70% or less of what 2nd quality stuff was. That was always like what the guys at KMart would even tell you was crap - and KMart sold a lot of crap - but even GoldStar was below their standards.
I looked at LG TV's when I bought my new 50" for the MBR last year and ended up with Sony's top end product and couldn't be happier. The LG and nothing else could stand up to Sony's (say what you will about Sony but in my book they still have the best picture around - there menu system and software sucks but I don't have to deal with it much).
Has any one be able to get a replacement iPad 2 do to this issue?
For the most part on my iPad 2 i did not notice this issue until I viewed some photos and a movie that did not take up the whole screen. There is definite light leakage and can be really annoying watching a movie in a dark room.
Apple: Hey LG, the new screens you sent us are faulty. If we get too many complaints we're doing a recall and we'll expect you to replace every screen for free.
LG: No can do, Apple. Those screens were fine at the factory. How about if we give you a 10% discount.
Apple: How about if you fuck off! You'll hear from our legal team within the hour.
LG: Oh...
Apple: Hello, Samsung...
I had no idea that LG was GoldStar. GoldStar was always third tier if that high as far as I was concerned - that was who made the little TVs or VCRs that you could by for about 70% or less of what 2nd quality stuff was. That was always like what the guys at KMart would even tell you was crap - and KMart sold a lot of crap - but even GoldStar was below their standards.
I looked at LG TV's when I bought my new 50" for the MBR last year and ended up with Sony's top end product and couldn't be happier. The LG and nothing else could stand up to Sony's (say what you will about Sony but in my book they still have the best picture around - there menu system and software sucks but I don't have to deal with it much).
I sold Goldstar products for a major retailer back in the late 80s. The return rate was phenomenal. Absolute crap.
As far as LG. Two people that I know (you know... a friend of a friend's brother's mother's next door neighbour) bought LG tv's and returned them because of burn in within the first month.
The rate of return for Goldstar and Emerson products was extraordinary. We shipped an enormous quantity of Goldstar and Emerson TVs and VCRs back to the main distribution center for warranty credit. Lots of products were dead straight out-of-the-box, and the rest seemed to die within a couple of weeks. It seemed we received nearly as many back as returns than we sold. My defect area had almost as many Goldstar and Emerson products as the new stock area.
I didn't know this at the time, but Emerson was buying their televisions from Goldstar and branding them under the Emerson name. No wonder they were equally as bad!
I resolved back in 1986 to never buy anything manufactured by Goldstar or Emerson again, and I've kept that vow.
TSMC has its issues with the recalled nVidia chips.
Now LG has its problems with the light leaks.
Samsung never had any problems with its components.
They have the best batteries, screens, RAM chips, NAND flash, SOC chips and hard drives in the business.
Samsung never had any problems with its components.
That?s a bold statement that easily proven incorrect with a simple search.
weird. they color coordinated people with ipads
I know, right?
And the smart covers with the background colors...
This is why sticking with a quality supplier like Samsung is important.
TSMC has its issues with the recalled nVidia chips.
Now LG has its problems with the light leaks.
Samsung never had any problems with its components.
They have the best batteries, screens, RAM chips, NAND flash, SOC chips and hard drives in the business.
Completely agree. People forget that Samsung is nothing more than many, many different companies all operating under the same name. Appliances, mobile, televisions... and then the manufacturing and distribution side. They are, in my opinion, the best manufacturer and distributor in the market. Their own consumer products are hit or miss (appliances and TVs are top notch, IMO, computers and cameras are subpar, and their phones are somewhere in between), but their parts are the best in the world.