The largest rise will come in iPad mini shipments, which DisplaySearch suggests may be as high as 50 million units, over and above the 100 million iPad 2s and new iPads that Apple hopes to ship next year.
The bottleneck to this aggressive plan could be availability of thin-film transistor (TFT) display panels. According to DisplaySearch, Apple’s vendors only ship 1.6 million panels in the third quarter and Apple has requested a total of 14 million panels for the fourth quarter. The panels are difficult to manufacture and yield rates can be low.
DisplaySearch notes that Apple will need to find other suppliers if it hopes to ship 50 million iPad minis. The company currently has two panel suppliers for the iPad mini, AU Optronics Corp. (NYSE: AUO) and LG Display Co. Ltd. (NYSE: LPL), and needs to find a third, particularly if Apple’s relationship with Samsung Electronics continues to deteriorate.
DisplaySearch forecasts the total tablet market will ship 170 million units next year and that if Apple hits its targets, the Cupertino company will grab a 60% share of the market.
Paul Ausick
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
