Next Generation iPad Mini: Some Important Details

Next Generation iPad Mini: There has been a lot of talk recently about when the next generation Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad mini will come to market. After the initial success of the first generation tablet, consumers and investors are anxious to use what Cupertino comes up with next.

It appears that the Apple iPad mini is set to launch at some point during the third or fourth quarter of 2013. This is backed up by claims from CEO Tim Cook that new products are not going to make their way to market until the fall season.

One of the biggest stories right now is who Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is going to rely on for its next iPad mini display.

This has been discussed time and time again, and as always, DigiTimes is weighing in with some information on what the future may hold.

According to its Taiwan-based supply chain sources, “AU Optronics’ (AUO) shipments of panels for the iPad mini are expected to decrease from four million units in the first quarter of 2013 to 2.5-2.8 million units in the second.”

This drop, however, is expected due to the fact that there is likely to be a slowdown in overall shipments during the second quarter.

The rest of the production, roughly 7 million displays, will be handled by LG Display.

While this is easy enough to understand, DigiTimes is also reporting that AUO is going to receive less business from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) as the Cupertino based company begins to gear up for the release of its next generation iPad mini.

AUO has faced issues in the past, and for this reason the company is not expected to stay on board as a major panel supplier for the tablet.

The DigiTimes piece goes on to add the following:

“Despite AUO’s struggles, the company has still submitted panels for use in the next-generation iPad mini for certification by Apple, the sources said, adding that so far LG Display and Sharp have been selected as panel suppliers for the upcoming tablet.”

If AUO is on the outs with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Cupertino will have to rely more heavily on other companies. At this time, if the report by DigiTimes is accurate, it appears that LG Display and Sharp will be picking up the slack.

How do you see things shaking out for the next generation Apple iPad mini? Do you agree with this rumor?

Check back here for more updates on Next Generation iPad Mini.

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