sharp ipad 3 panel
Electronista reports on a new article [Google translation] from Taiwan's Commercial Times claiming that Apple is planning for production of 65-70 million iPad 3 displays in 2012, paving the way for a significant boost to Apple's tablet sales.

Shipments for the new LCD panel, believed designed by Sharp but being manufactured by LG Display and Samsung, were said by the Commercial Times to be already booked to the order of 65 million to 75 [70] million units for the year. Versus production of about 40.5 million in 2011, it would represent 60 to 73 percent higher shipments than last year.

That 65-70 million number includes only iPad 3 displays, and with Apple having nearly one quarter's worth of iPad 2 sales ahead of the iPad 3 introduction and the company being rumored to continue offering the iPad 2 as a lower-cost option following the iPad 3's introduction, Apple's total iPad sales projections for the year appear to b even higher.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

Nielsenius Avatar
171 months ago
Wow, just wow! It's amazing how popular these things have become. I remember when I bought the first iPad and people told me how stupid and pointless it was. I guess they were wrong!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
*LTD* Avatar
171 months ago
This will be a huge year for the iPad. The sales we've been seeing for the last few quarters is nothing compared to what's about come.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JHankwitz Avatar
171 months ago
I guess well see. Emerging markets are going to have to be a major contributor...cause the iPad 2 sold SO well, and many folks simply cant make the upgrade. Hope youre having a great day sir.

I purchased an iPad 2 last fall. If iPad 3 has retina display, I'll buy another. If it has Siri, I'll give away the iPad 2 and replace it with a second iPad 3.

My only concern is that Apple is eventually going to be charged with Monopoly because no one else will be able to successfully compete with their advanced technology. The only advantage they will have is the ability to sell on price and make very little if any profit. (Or you can carry around three competetors products for the same price and still not have all the benefits one iPad provides)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Navdakilla Avatar
171 months ago
wow.. so this release is going to be nuts too then? (based on how much apple is predicting they will sell, and obviously not having all the stock at launch like they always do?)

crazy
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
171 months ago
That’s up to 661 trillion subpixels!

I'll say this: I, too, was not pleased with the back of iPad 2 compared to the first iPad, but that changed after I owned it for awhile. Definitely more comfortable to hold reliably, The scoop could almost cause you to drop it. Holding the iPad 2 is a lot more secure feeling -- and you don't have to open your hands up quite as much so it's more comfortable over a long period (late night reading).
Also, the iPad 1 was wobbly like a Weeble! The new ones can rest flat on a table—much better. Tablets should always have a perfect flat back. (At least both models are metal, unlike some plastic tablets I could name...)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JGowan Avatar
171 months ago
I already have the money for my iPad 3. I opt not getting the iPad 2 b/c I didn't like the design of the back. Yeah, hated it.

But Apple better bring it hardcore with this new iPad.
What if iPad 3's back is very similar to iPad 2's? Because I don't think it'll be that different. The following photo is not a definite and it doesn't show the back but it looks like it'll very flat like iP2 and not scooped like iP1...



I'll say this: I, too, was not pleased with the back of iPad 2 compared to the first iPad, but that changed after I owned it for awhile. Definitely more comfortable to hold reliably, The scoop could almost cause you to drop it. Holding the iPad 2 is a lot more secure feeling -- and you don't have to open your hands up quite as much so it's more comfortable over a long period (late night reading).

@nagromme -- correct about the Weeble statement -- I like the new back better!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
macbook pro blue green

When Will Apple Release the M5 MacBook Pro?

Wednesday March 26, 2025 4:53 pm PDT by
Apple regularly refreshes the MacBook Pro models, and a new version that uses M5 series chips is in the works. Apple just finished refreshing most of the Mac lineup with M4 chips, and now it's time for the M5. Rumors suggest that we could see the first M5 MacBook Pro models this fall. Design There have been no rumors of a design update for the M5 MacBook Pro models that are coming this...
Apple Lumon Terminal Pro

Apple's Mac Site Features Fictional 'Lumon Terminal Pro'

Wednesday March 26, 2025 12:19 pm PDT by
Apple is going all out with promotions for the popular Severance Apple TV+ show today, and as of right now, you'll find a new "Lumon Terminal Pro" listed on Apple's Mac site. The Lumon Terminal Pro is designed to look similar to the machines that Severance employees like Mark S. and Helly R. use for macrodata refinement. The Terminal features a blue keyboard, a small display with wide...
Facebook Feature

Facebook's New iPhone App Feature Turns the Clock Back to 2007

Thursday March 27, 2025 1:59 pm PDT by
In the mid-to-late 2000s, Facebook was all about staying connected with friends and family. However, as the social media platform added new features and grew over time, that core experience began to get drowned out. That changes starting now, according to Meta, which today introduced a new feature that will "bring back the joy" of classic Facebook. Specifically, Meta has redesigned the...
Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Soon With These New Features for Your iPhone

Tuesday March 25, 2025 6:45 am PDT by
Apple is expected to release iOS 18.4 to the general public as soon as next week, following more than a month of beta testing. Apple's website says some iOS 18.4 features will be released in "early April," so the update should be out as early as Tuesday, April 1. Apple this week seeded the iOS 18.4 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, barring the discovery of any...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Supports 8K Video Recording, Suggests Leaker [Updated]

Wednesday March 26, 2025 4:06 am PDT by
Update 7:25 pm: Based on comments from our forums, it appears the original Weibo post may have been mistranslated and "8K" actually refers to the high price of the device rather than 8K video recording capabilities. The iPhone 16 Pro currently starts at 7,999 yuan in China. Our original article follows below. Apple's forthcoming iPhone 17 Pro models are capable of shooting 8K video, up...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Expected Next Week - Here Are the Release Notes

Friday March 28, 2025 2:01 pm PDT by
With the second release candidate of iOS 18.4 that Apple seeded out today, the company finally provided us with release notes that give a full rundown on what to expect. There's an Apple Vision Pro app, new Apple Intelligence features for notifications and additional language support, plus an Apple News Food feature for Apple News+ subscribers, and several updates that should improve the...
iOS 18 4 Ambient Music Control Center

How to Use iOS 18.4's New Ambient Music Feature in Control Center

Thursday March 27, 2025 7:45 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 18.4 update for the iPhone adds an Ambient Music feature to Control Center. Below, we take a closer look at how it works. iOS 18.4 is currently in beta, so the Ambient Music feature is not widely available yet. The update will likely be released to the general public next week. To use the feature on iOS 18.4, open Control Center and tap on the plus sign in the top-left...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

'iPhone Fold' to Feature Metallic Glass Hinge That Resists Deformation

Thursday March 27, 2025 4:21 am PDT by
Last week, we covered a report claiming that Apple's book-style foldable iPhone (or "iPhone Fold," as we are provisionally calling it here) will use liquid metal hinges to improve durability and help minimize screen creasing. Today, a Chinese leaker provided more details on the properties of this hinge material that help to clarify why Apple chose it for its first foldable device. According...