Apple Plans to Sell 75 Million iPad 3 Tablets in 2012

Orders placed by Apple for iPad 3 panels at LG Display and Samsung would suggest that the Cupertino giant expects to ship between 65 and 75 million new tablets this year alone.

Via the Chinese-language Commercial Times comes word that shipments for the new LCD panel used by the iPad 3 are already at 65 million to 75 million units for this year. By comparison, last year’s iPad panel orders were pegged at 40.5 million. This means Apple is anticipating 60 to 73 percent higher shipments in 2012.

The panels are reportedly designed by Sharp, but the manufacturing is currently being handled by LG Display and Samsung, the report notes.