Speculation continues surrounding the iPad mini with Retina Display, with one market researcher claiming high-volume productivity for the 7.9-inch Apple tablet is projected for the fourth quarter.
IHS Suppli Market Researcher Sweta Dash, via CNET, said panel production for the next iPad mini will be "less than 3 million" units in the third business quarter with the expectation that the Apple tablet will arrive in the second half of 2013.
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"The challenges [display makers] face are the [production] yield rates. And being able to produce in very high volume for Apple," Dash stated.
According to Dash, producing a high volume of panels should take place one or two quarters ahead, and Apple can use them.
"So, hypothetically, if display makers begin manufacturing the high-resolution 7.9-inch Mini panels in the third quarter, then step up production in the fourth quarter, that would push high-volume availability into the fourth quarter," concluded CNET's Brooke Crothers.
Dash's statement comes after "supply chain" sources, via DigiTimes, claimed production for the iPad mini 2 would also come during the autumn season, after the iPad 5.
According to DigiTimes, Apple is delaying the debut of the second-generation iPad mini to avoid conflict with the 9.7-inch iPad 5. The Taiwan-based report added that the decision to delay is blamed on either production issues or a decision by Cupertino executives. The belief, the report added, is that "market watchers" don't want the iPad mini 2's sales to dent iPad 5's demand.
Elsewhere, KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo previously stated the iPad mini 2 would face challenges due to the addition of Retina Display. According to Kuo, the display panels may prove to be a challenge for manufacturers, thus, leading to delay shipments.
With no news on the Apple tablets during the 2013 Worldwide Developers Conference and Apple not commenting on rumors and speculation, only time will tell if there were indeed issues with an iPad mini with Retina Display.
Related Articles on the iPad Mini 2:
- iPad Mini 2 Release Date Rumors: Retina Display Production Delaying Launch
- iPad Mini 2 Rumors: Apple Cutting Back on iPad Mini in Anticipation of the Sequel
- iPad Mini 2 Release Date Delayed: Production to Start in November to Avoid iPad 5 Demand Clash [Rumor]