Apple’s display providers are being asked to decrease display shipments for the iPad 2, reports Digitimes, as Apple prepares to begin wide-scale production for the upcoming iPad 3.
According to the report, Samsung, LG Display and Chimei Innolux have all seen decreased display orders from Apple in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, display orders for the iPad 3, which will presumably feature a Retina display and dual LED backlights, began in October.
The report continues, claiming that Apple has been stockpiling inventory of the iPad 2 in order to reduce display orders, and plans to ship as many as 16 million iPads in the holiday quarter, up from 11 million shipped during Q3. If true, this strengthens the claim that Apple is intentionally controlling inventory to make way for the iPad 3.
Previous releases and product cycles suggest that Apple will be introducing a next-gen iPad early next year. The next-gen device is widely expected to feature a high-resolution Retina display.
Further rumors suggest Apple may be preparing a 7″ version of their popular tablet. Whatever Apple’s really planning, we’ll surely find out soon enough.
