AU Optronics Catches Up with iPad Mini Display Production, Begins Working on Displays for Next Generation Model

[MacRumors]

According to a report from Digitimes, Apple supplier AU Optronics has managed to improve its poor iPad mini display yields, finally leading to increased availability of the current iPad mini and a solid infrastructure for the production of displays for the next generation mini.

Due to AUO's yield issues throughout the second half of 2012, cumulative shipments of the iPad mini were less than Apple's originally estimated 10 million units. However, the sources said AUO has solidified higher yields as of the first quarter in 2013, which will help keep the iPad mini in supply as well as most likely push up AUO's tablet panel shipments on year in 2013.

The iPad mini has been in short supply since its release in October 2012, after some models sold out just minutes after pre-orders began. Reports cited display production as the limiting factor, which led to ship times of up to two weeks.

Just today, we reported that Apple managed to reach supply-demand balance on the iPad mini. The tablet is now listed as "in stock" for immediate shipment from several online Apple Stores, which confirms the display yield improvements.

Digitimes is also reporting that AU Optronics has begun production of displays for the second generation iPad mini. Rumors have suggested that the next iPad mini will be equipped with a Retina display, and a report from November stated that AU Optronics was gearing up for production.

Retina is widely believed to be the next logical step for the iPad mini, and while there are no concrete hints on when an updated mini will be released, KGI Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently predicted that both the iPad mini and the full sized iPad will be updated in the third quarter of 2013.

Article Link: AU Optronics Catches Up with iPad Mini Display Production, Begins Working on Displays for Next Generation Model

[japanime]

If the next one is retina, I'm definitely buying one.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Originally Posted by japanime

If the next one is retina, I'm definitely buying one.

Yeah, I'll definitely be tempted.... but it's hard to rationalize when I already have a retina iPad... I guess I could sell it. It would be about an even swap.

[Fatalbert]

If the next one is retina, I'll probably buy the first-gen mini.

[M-O]

Originally Posted by japanime

If the next one is retina, I'm definitely buying one.

They should release a Pro model with retina display and A6X processor for $429.

[KylePowers]

I absolutely love the size and weight of the iPad Mini. I think it's damn near perfect and if it gets a retina display (which seems 99.9%) likely, I will definitely be selling off my iPad 3rd gen for one. Though, I could very well be conflicted if the iPad 5th gen gets redesigned, slims down, and loses some weight. It'd be a tough choice!

[CrazyForApple]

Please retina!!!!!

[Peace]

If the next one has Retina and a more powerful SoC I'll sell my iPad 4 and get one.

[Ryth]

Sucks if it's not till Q3.

----------

Originally Posted by Mad Mac Maniac

Yeah, I'll definitely be tempted.... but it's hard to rationalize when I already have a retina iPad... I guess I could sell it. It would be about an even swap.

I have a iPad Retina. I prefer the mini over it that my friend has.

[waloshin]

Retina it will be.

[Hungry&Foolish]

If the next one is a retina with 9.7 inch screen. I am buying one.

[Wolfpup]

Originally Posted by Ryth

I have a iPad Retina. I prefer the mini over it that my friend has.

Why? I never understand this. The iPad 4 is way more powerful, has a much better screen, and is much better for both reading and the web. The only advantage the mini would have is if it fit in a pocket. The Nexus 7 does (seems like it's sized intentionally for it), but the 8" iPad dosen't, so what's the point?

[iChrist]

AU Optronics managed to improve its poor iPad mini display yields

I wish it was: Apple managed to improve its poor iPad mini display

How can a company have a hard time making lo res fuzz screen like that? Great job Apple, finding some quality partners in the post-Samsung world

[yearofthe]

Retina or half the people here will blow-up..

[maxosx]

I'm eager to dump my mini. The screen is next to impossible to adjust to. Especially since the iPhone 5, iPad 4, and 15" MBPr I have are all retina models.

[nia820]

Originally Posted by iChrist

I wish it was: Apple managed to improve its poor iPad mini display

How can a company have a hard time making lo res fuzz screen like that? Great job Apple, finding some quality partners in the post-Samsung world

The ipad mini display really isnt that bad. You know I was pissed off at the fact that it wasnt equipped with retina. I was totally against buying an ipad mini. But I have one now. And I love it. It is the same as my ipad 2 was. When I compare it to my mom's ipad mini. There is a difference but its not bad.

On top of that I wasnt waiting til october to buy an ipad mini.

[mantan]

Originally Posted by nia820

The ipad mini display really isnt that bad. You know I was pissed off at the fact that it wasnt equipped with retina. I was totally against buying an ipad mini. But I have one now. And I love it. It is the same as my ipad 2 was. When I compare it to my mom's ipad mini. There is a difference but its not bad.

On top of that I wasnt waiting til october to buy an ipad mini.

I absolutely love the 'it's not that bad' justification crowd. Mostly because they are going to be the first ones crowing over how great the Retina version is and how it's SO much better than the original.

A close second is the 'Retina is technologically impossible until at least 2014 crowd who acted like it needed to cold fusion to work. Never mind there is very likely Retina prototypes in production right now.

The bronze goes to the 'Mark my words, Apple will never NEVER a Mini' crowd. They were a hoot.

Apple are still absolute geniuses and maximizing their revenue stream. They slow played this one perfectly. They cobbled together the most basic entry level Mini at the highest tangible price point, they could knowing people would flock to the form factor. Zero innovation needed.

Then they focused on getting the Retina version in the pipeline knowing those same buyers would come back again. Now they are just debating if they want to release it in March or October. I'd bet on the latter...mostly because they Mini sales are still strong and they can ride another Christmas rush.

cha-ching

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by iChrist

I wish it was: Apple managed to improve its poor iPad mini display

How can a company have a hard time making lo res fuzz screen like that? Great job Apple, finding some quality partners in the post-Samsung world

I suppose you should start a company making displays. Can't be difficult, right?

[JHankwitz]

Originally Posted by iChrist

I wish it was: Apple managed to improve its poor iPad mini display

How can a company have a hard time making lo res fuzz screen like that? Great job Apple, finding some quality partners in the post-Samsung world

I trust you're joking, unless you normally hold your mini at the tip of your nose. At the normal 1-ft viewing distance, I can't see a difference in clarity between my iPad 3 retina and iPad mini display. I can barely begin to see a difference at about 6 inches from my eyes.

[noiseordinance]

Put retina on these suckers and I'll buy one.

[iChrist]

Originally Posted by JHankwitz

I trust you're joking, unless you normally hold your mini at the tip of your nose. At the normal 1-ft viewing distance, I can't see a difference in clarity between my iPad 3 retina and iPad mini display. I can barely begin to see a difference at about 6 inches from my eyes.

Some people are young and have very good vision. Some people also have higher standards. If it is not the best, why pay Apple premium for it? I only buy Apple when it is the best.

[nagromme]

The source is Digitimes. They report hundreds of plausible things, some based on things we know from other sources already (adding nothing) and some of which by luck turn out to be true. Few people bother to note all the times they're wrong, but their track record is poor.

I'm sure Digitimes loves the attention, but disregard this as pure speculation. Not a real "source."

As for retina, all of the following must be solved first:

* Bigger battery to drive that power-hungry display (remember: the iPad 4 is thicker and heavier than the iPad 2 for this reason!)

* Bigger battery to drive the powerful CPU and GPU needed to drive all those pixels.

* Making that extra-powerful battery happen without the device being thicker and heavier

* Fitting the thicker retina display in the same thin case... so maybe the battery has to be... smaller?

* Achieving high enough yields of the new display--and being confident of those yields (why make a better iPad if that means selling fewer?)

Those will be solved... but soon? I'm doubtful. Sounds like 2014 to me.

[Ryth]

Originally Posted by nagromme

The source is Digitimes. They report hundreds of plausible things, some based on things we know from other sources already (adding nothing) and some of which by luck turn out to be true. Few people bother to note all the times they're wrong, but their track record is poor.

I'm sure Digitimes loves the attention, but disregard this as pure speculation. Not a real "source."

As for retina, all of the following must be solved first:

* Bigger battery to drive that power-hungry display (remember: the iPad 4 is thicker and heavier than the iPad 2 for this reason!)

* Bigger battery to drive the powerful CPU and GPU needed to drive all those pixels.

* Making that extra-powerful battery happen without the device being thicker and heavier

* Fitting the thicker retina display in the same thin case... so maybe the battery has to be... smaller?

* Achieving high enough yields of the new display--and being confident of those yields (why make a better iPad if that means selling fewer?)

Those will be solved... but soon? I'm doubtful. Sounds like 2014 to me.

So are you basically repeating the same stuff that was said about the iPad 3 and how no way it could be retina because of those same reasons and we wouldn't see it till iPad 4?

[Imory]

Originally Posted by Ryth

So are you basically repeating the same stuff that was said about the iPad 3 and how no way it could be retina because of those same reasons and we wouldn't see it till iPad 4?

Well the iPad 3 got thicker, didn't it? Apple had to compromise the thickness of the design which they won't or shouldn't do with the mini. Compromising the thickness of the mini would defy the purpose of the device. I'm with nagromme on this one, which actually seems likely given that some credible computer hardware magazine sites such as Anandtech says it would be close to impossible to pull it off without making a significant trade-off.

[BMcCoy]

http://youtu.be/7J2Au80BmHc