Immediately following yesterdays report about Apple’s timeline for the release of their second-generation iPad mini, NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim now says display suppliers could begin mass production of the tablet’s screens as quickly as next month.
Shim told CNET late Monday that Korean firm LG Display, which already produces panels for the current iPad mini, will likely be responsible for a large portion of the Retina iPad mini’s screens as Apple moves further away from component supplier and smartphone rival Samsung.
“Samsung is currently not in the iPad Mini and they won’t be in the next generation. LGD is becoming a much bigger supplier than before,” Shim said, adding that while other manufacturers will also supply panels, LG is thought to have the largest share.
The analyst said the 7.9-inch Retina iPad will sport a 2,048-by-1,536 pixel resolution, which would exactly double the current mini’s specifications.
Shim claims display production should start in June or July, which is consistent with previous rumors floating around about a third quarter iPad mini release.
