Thinner iPad 3 Coming with Low-Power Retina Display?

[MacRumors]

Rumors of a high-resolution 2048x1536 display for the iPad 3 have been circulating for some time now, but the new display's effect on the device's form factor is still up for some debate.

A claim from earlier this month regarding Apple requiring two light bars in order to manage the much higher resolution of the iPad 3 was followed just last week with a report that the device will be 0.7 mm thicker than the iPad 2 in order to accommodate that dual light bar design.

More claims of a 2048x1536 display for the iPad surfaced earlier this week, with that analyst's source indicating that Apple will continue to use in-plane switching (IPS) technology for the new display.

But a new report from Jeffries analyst Peter Misek and shared by Forbes claims that Apple will not be using IPS on the iPad 3, and has in fact invested $500 million to $1 billion in new equipment to allow Sharp to produce the required displays using technology permitting a thinner and lower-power design.

Also, we believe that Apple and Sharp together have a modified IGZO (indium, gallium, zinc) technology to achieve 330 dpi, which is sufficient for an HD display while not using IPS nor having to include dual-bar LED backlighting. In our view, this should lead to several design advantages, namely the device can be thinner, battery life should be longer, and the overall experience for users should be meaningfully improved.

Misek noted in a separate report issued earlier today that Apple and Sharp are also working together on displays for an Apple television set, with a retooled Sharp manufacturing line preparing to begin mass production of those obviously much larger displays in February.

Article Link: Thinner iPad 3 Coming with Low-Power Retina Display?

 

[divinox]

Just hope they don't cheat on the viewing angles.

 

[TimUSCA]

This does seem more like Apple's style. I don't think they would settle for "thicker".

 

[brock2621]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Please take my money already

 

[dashiel]

This does seem more like Apple's style. I don't think they would settle for "thicker".

That’s what the article is refuting, earlier claims of a thicker iPad3

 

[kyjaotkb]

so LGD, Samsung, now Sharp.

I bet iPad 3 will be using a Pana plasma and will be only 2 inches thick.

Watch out, I'm an analyst, you read it here first.

 

[Žalgiris]

Apple works forward, not backwards. It's either same thickness or thinner.

 

[ufwa]

assuming they don't change screen sizes, 2048x1536 will only get them 264 dpi.

it would have to be 2560 x 1920 to be 330 dpi

 

[AppleScruff1]

So the iPad 3 will have a second tier panel made by Sharp?

 

[Skika]

Hmm no IPS? Not sure about that one...

 

[jav6454]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Please take my money already

...

 

[Redneck1089]

Apple works forward, not backwards. It's either same thickness or thinner.

The iPhone 3G and 3GS were both thicker than the original iPhone.

 

[divinox]

Hmm no IPS? Not sure about that one...

As long as its not TN...

 

[macse30]

What's a billion dollars between friends?

 

[NutsNGum]

Oh good, I was wondering when I was going to see another picture of Fry!

 

[soco]

The iPhone 3G and 3GS were both thicker than the original iPhone.

Exactly. Just because something may become a bit thicker, does not necessarily mean it became worse.

I look forward to what they come up with this time around. A milimeter here or there, not a big deal.

 

[racer1441]

Please not thinner. I can barely hold on to the damn thing as it is.

 

[whooleytoo]

I'd rather they didn't make it thinner, rather kept it the same size and (if possible) increased the battery size to improve battery life.

 

[justit]

Powned

You gotta think Sharp will be tied down fulfilling Apple's orders.

Brilliant way to suck the bone marrow from Sharp without buying a single share.

 

[scottgroovez]

iPad with retina display is the iPad I have been waiting for

 

[Žalgiris]

A milimeter here or there, not a big deal.

Not to Steve though. Even if it was thicker I bet Steve was a huge pain in the neck because of this.

 

[NutsNGum]

You gotta think Sharp will be tied down fulfilling Apple's orders.

Brilliant way to suck the bone marrow from Sharp without buying a single share.

Eh? Why so negative?

I imagine Sharp would be quite happy with the business.

 

[D.T.]

assuming they don't change screen sizes, 2048x1536 will only get them 264 dpi.

it would have to be 2560 x 1920 to be 330 dpi

Thanks for the quick calc, I saw the 330ppi and knew the 2x/2x resolution came up to ~264ppi.

I'd suspect they stick with the doubling and the 330ppi is maybe just a maximum design target ... though that's exciting about the possible use in a notebook!

 

[PeterQVenkman]

If they can maintain those viewing angles, this sounds awesome. Leave it to Apple to fund some crazy awesome new LCD panel.

Retina display... drool worthy...

 

[johnnymg]

Great news in regards to the ongoing Sammy battle Hope Apple sticks it to them good!

cheers
JohnG