Apple has canceled its iPad 3 supply schedule for the second half of 2011, delaying the introduction of the third generation tablet until next year, according to “DigiTimes” (http://macte.ch/5VD3Z). The article says that the iPad 3 was originally supposed to launch in time for the holidays.
Quoting unnamed “sources from the upstream supply chain,” “DigiTimes” says the yield rate of the 9.7-inch panel that feature resolution of 2,048 by 1,536 may be the major reason of the supply delay since such panels are mainly supplied by Sharp with a high price and Apple’s other supply partners Samsung Electronics and LG Display are both unable to reach a good yield.
Also, “sources from panel players also pointed out that the 9.7-inch panel with high resolution requires a much larger backlight source and a single edge light bar is hardly able to reach satisfaction levels,” the article adds. Due to iPad 3’s requirements over the physical thinness, “rich color support and toughness will all conflict with the panel’s technology restrictions” and “this could cause a delay in the launch,” says “DigiTimes.”