DigiTimes reported today that the “iPad Pro” will go into productions by the end of the third quarter, with mass production beginning in the fourth quarter. This jibes with predictions made earlier this week by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The report claims the “iPad Pro” will be released in the fourth quarter, with an estimated 4-5 million shipments in 2015. DigiTimes reported in July that the “iPad Pro” could launch in mid-November as Foxconn prepared to start supplying components at the time, but the release timeframe remains uncertain.
DigiTimes claims Sharp will be the main supplier for LCD displays for the 12.9-inch tablet, with Foxconn-owned General Interface Solution (GIS) providing touch panels. The report notes Samsung Display and TPK will be secondary suppliers for the LCD assemblies and touch modules respectively.
While DigiTimes has a spotty track record at best with reports such as this, the report does backup claims made by Kuo earlier this week, who said Apple’s long-rumored 12.9-inch “iPad Pro” tablet will enter mass production sometime in September or October, and will optionally use a Force Touch-enabled stylus.
His prediction of a September/October timeframe for mass production would rule out any possible unveiling for the 12.9-inch tablet at Apple’s predicted September 9th media event, indicating a premiere sometime later in the fall, likely in time for the holiday shopping season.
