Apple will reportedly reduce the iPad’s size by using more efficient LEDs

Apr 12, 2013 07:37 GMT  ·  By

Display experts say Apple’s next-generation full-size iPad is likely to employ fewer and more efficient LEDs for backlighting, as well as a film-based touch sensor.

Coupled, these enhancements will reduce the tablet’s overall size and weight considerably, allowing Apple to ship a full-size iPad with the shape and size of the iPad mini, the company’s top-selling tablet today.

NPD DisplaySearch's Paul Semenza tells CNet, “It's likely that part of the thinner/lighter design will be reducing the size of the LED backlight, partly by making the display more efficient and partly by using more efficient LEDs.”

Semenza, an analyst with a great deal of knowledge in display technologies, adds, “The other significant change that we feel is likely is a shift to a film-based touch sensor.”

The next-generation full-size tablet, the iPad 5 as the media calls it for writing convenience, is expected to debut either this spring or later, in fall.

Some pundits say Apple has a special event scheduled for April-May. During this event, both the iPad 5 and the iPad mini could be unveiled, but many analysts believe the iPad 5 launch is reserved for the end of 2013.

While the iPad mini 2 is expected to launch with minor enhancements (i.e. Retina display, faster processor), the iPad 5 will reportedly mark a complete redesign of Apple’s full-size tablet range, and is likely to include the fastest SoC (system-on-a-chip) of the entire iDevice lineup.

Semenza also said, “It is not yet clear if there will be a big change to the display -- such as using IGZO.”

IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) is a semiconducting material, co-developed by Sharp and Semiconductor Energy Laboratories.

It replaces amorphous silicon for the active layer of an LCD screen and allows smaller pixels and much higher reaction speeds, thanks to a 40x higher electron mobility than amorphous silicon.