Apple Will 'Likely' Equip New iPad Mini With Retina Display, Contemplates Colored Back Covers

The WSJ is reporting that Apple will release a new iPad mini in the fourth quarter which will 'likely' have a Retina display from Samsung. The size of the tablet is said to remain 7.9-inches; however, Apple is also said to be contemplating multiple color back covers.

For the next iPad mini, component makers have been told that Apple plans to use screens from Samsung Electronics Co.'s display unit, Samsung Display Co., as well as Japan's Sharp Corp. and LG Display Co., the people said. One person said that Apple initially planned to use Sharp and LG Display but later decided to add Samsung to ensure adequate supply of screens. For the current iPad mini, Apple uses screens from LG Display and Taiwan's AU Optronics Corp., component makers said.

The reports notes that while Apple routinely tests different options for its products before release, the new Google Nexus 7 with a high resolution display makes it more likely Apple's updated iPad mini will also feature a high resolution screen.


Notably, Apple is said to have shifted orders for the displays to Samsung from AU Optronics.

"We cannot take [Apple's] orders because our rate of output efficiency is too low to be profitable," said a manager at AU Optronics who says the company doesn't make a profit from manufacturing iPad mini displays.

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