iPad 3 will have a high-res display, assembly lines waiting for orders, sources say

Nov 22, 2011 08:22 GMT  ·  By

iOS 5 code findings and a report from Taiwan citing sources from Apple’s upstream supply chain seem to confirm the existence of not one, but two iPad 3 models in testing. However, only one version will see the light of day, said the sources.

The sources in question are telling Digitimes that “Apple is giving two tablet PC projects codenamed J1 and J2 to its upstream partners for development.” The major differences are said to be “size, specifications and technologies,” which means pretty much everything.

However, a few paragraphs down, the same sources reportedly said that the J2 “seems to be an upgrade version of the J1”, and that “the new iPad's component specifications are not far off from those of iPad 2,” which led them to believe that Apple's iPad 3 will be a mere upgrade of iPad 2.

Needless to point out, the piece is as vague as they get, but the Taiwanese trade publication does have a track record of accurately predicting Apple’s next move. On some rumors, however, the paper is way off, but this may also stem from last-minute changes (as was the case with the iPhone 4S).

More interestingly, the sources said the new tablets have a higher-resolution display capable of outputting crisp visuals on a 2048 by 1536 (pixel) display.

Because of the shift to a higher resolution display, Apple’s partners are forced to provide two-LED light bar solutions. The technology has its disadvantages, including making the tablet thicker, but some vendors have come up with designs that only adopt one light bar with two LED chips.

Apple has not yet decided which of the two tablet projects it wants launched, but sources believe the company will make the final decision based on its needs.

Component suppliers are now prepared for mass production, having already conducted pilot production, the report says.

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References to new Apple devices found in iOS 5 code
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