NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim claims that iPad mini 2, the 2nd generation iPad mini could go into mass production by next month. The display market researcher tell CNET today they think those Retina panels for the iPad mini 2 could go into mass-production as early as June or July this year.
CNET reports:
“We should see the start of mass production of the panels in June or July,” said Richard Shim, an analyst at NPD DisplaySearch.
LG Display will be one of the major manufacturers of the display, he said, adding that Samsung is not a supplier for the Mini.
“Samsung is currently not in the iPad Mini and they won’t be in the next generation. LGD is becoming a much bigger supplier than before,” he said.
As far as the display resolution is concerned, introducing a new resolution for the Retina iPad mini would fragment the the platform. So, the next iPad mini will most probably come in a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, same as the iPad 3 and iPad 4. By not fragmenting the platform, Apple will make developers’ life a lot easier, as all currently available iOS apps and games will run just fine on the iPad mini 2 with 2048 x 1536 pixels resolution.
There’s no mention of any form factor change in retina iPad mini. However, accommodating Retina Display and a larger battery to power it, without increasing the iPad mini 2 thickness and weight, will surely be a challenge.