A little while ago it was reported that Apple was getting the display panels for the iPad Mini from LG Display and AU Optronics. But now, due to some production issues being faced by AU Optronics, it seems like LG has become the main supplier for the display panels for the new iPad Mini from the Cupertino based company. Well, this new report has been published by the DigiTimes which is of course famous for its hit and miss news about such matters.
According to the unspecified sources that are familiar with the matter, a vast number of units of the new iPad Mini tablet are manufactured by LG Displays while AU Optronics is also considered as one of the main supplier for the display screens.
Over 4 Million Units in 4 Weeks
In the past four weeks, Apple has received over four million units of the display panels for its iPad Mini and apparently most of them were sent by LG Display. Apple estimated that they will be selling over 10 million units of the iPad Mini by the end of this year but due to the supply issue of the display panels from AU Optronics, Apple is now expecting to sell only 6 to 8 million units of the iPad Mini this year.
Samsung Now Not The Main Supplier
Previously, Apple mainly relied on Samsung to fulfill most of its Display needs but during this year, Apple has been significantly reducing the orders to Samsung and trying to rely on other suppliers to fulfill its stocks. Well, the main reason behind that is the ongoing court battle between the two companies on the patent infringement issues. Of course last year Tim Cook appreciated Samsung as their one of the most important suppliers for the parts but later this year when a court ordered Samsung to pay $1.05 billion to Apple in total damages, it was obvious that the collaboration between two companies is going to an end now.
That’s not it, earlier this week we also heard the news that Apple had to find new suppliers for the battery for its iPad and MacBook. The company that was previously supplying Apple with batteries was a Samsung subsidiary that stopped the production of Apple components. So, Apple had to replace that supplier with two Chinese companies to get the required battery units for its iPad and MacBook Air.