Mass manufacturing the 9.7� 2048x1536 displays is not an easy or a quick task and Shim�s claims that there will be three separate display suppliers so as to ensure that Apple has enough devices when it comes to the launch. If we take a look at the last two iPad announcements we can expect to hear something in March with a release happening in April.
From CNET:
It�s happening�QXGA, 2048�1536. Panel production has started [for the next-generation iPad]. There�s three suppliers,� Richard Shim, an analyst at DisplaySearch, said in an interview today. Shim confirmed other reports that cite three companies, Samsung, Sharp, and LGD.
The jump from 1024 by 768 pixels to 2048 x 1536 pixels would, in the words of the late Steve Jobs himself, be a �quantum leap� for tablet computing.
I believe those of you who upgraded to an iPhone 4 from a 3GS or 3G will remember the first time they laid eyes on the Retina Display. Games looked better, text looked sharper and videos looked crisper. The same will happen with the iPad 3�s rumored Retina Display and it�s going to leave us all floored. It won�t be 316ppi like the iPhone 4S, but 264ppi for 9.7� display will still be pretty impressive.
The report that was written by Shim is also backed up by a piece of code found by 9to5Mac in iOS 5 which hints towards the iPad 3 having a retina display. The code string mentions an iOS device codenamed J2 which is claimed by DigiTimes to be one of the two iPad 3 prototypes being tested by Apple in iOS 5.
We all know that Apple is a very secretive company and as such all the reports and all the rumors won�t be clarified until the new iPad is officially announced.
