South Korean tech giant Samsung has reportedly secured the contract to manufacture the displays for Apple Inc's next generation iPad mini.
According to a report published by the Korea's ETNews, Samsung will provide Apple with 7.9-inch Retina displays with a resolution of 2,048 by 1,536 pixels and 9.7-inch displays for the making of the next generation iPad and iPad mini tablets. It was also reported that the displays for iPad mini are likely to be supplied in the third quarter and the iPad screens will be readied in the following quarter. LG, the company which has been consistent in supplying the components for Apple, will continue as the key vendor.
The news is a sign of new ties between arch rivals Samsung and Apple despite the series of lawsuits filed by the two companies against each other over infringement of patent rights.
"The relationship seems to have been restored after Apple suffered from the yield and quality problems that bogged Sharp of Japan and AUO of Taiwan," the report noted.
Ming-Chi Kuo, KGI Securities analyst, had earlier said that the production of Apple's new line-up of products has been hampered due to the various production issues. He pointed out that the next-generation iPad which is expected to come with the Retina display is facing problems with its screen and this could delay the launch further. There is no clarification about its release date. Recent rumours suggest that it is unlikely to make its debut this year.
