14 DAY TRIAL // Research conducted by IHS iSuppli reveals that production of displays for the iPad mini 2 is at about the same level as last year, when Apple debuted the first version of its diminutive tablet.
Vinita Jakhanwal, director of mobile & emerging displays at IHS iSuppli, tells CNet, “Based [on what] we are seeing in the [production] pipeline...The volumes are similar to the iPad Mini that we saw in Q4 of last year.”
Apple launched its first-generation iPad mini in November of 2012, and while the company reportedly has an event planned for September 10 this year, there’s a good chance the iPad refresh will come at a later date (perhaps making a full-year cycle).
The IHS director also said, “AUO is supplying a small amount for the Mini. Their technology will have to scale up to do higher resolution,” and added that Sharp is always a contender.”
The second-generation iPad mini is expected to sport a Retina display, a first for the small tablet, while the iPad 5 (a revision to Apple’s full-size tablet) will adopt a design akin to the iPad mini.