Rumors keep circulating that Apple’s next iPad – which could be coming out as early as this fall, if you believe the scuttlebutt – will contain a higher-resolution screen than the current iPad and iPad 2.
But now a new report says that not only is that screen on its way for the next iPad, but Apple (AAPL) is already testing components for the 2048×1536 screens, which are supplied by Samsung (005930.KS) and LG (066570.KS).
According to a story from 9to5Mac, the new screens go beyond the resolution considered to be full HD, which is 1920×1080 pixels, as reported by The Korea Times. Here’s a quote from that report:
“Apple’s upcoming iPad 3 will feature an improved display to support quad extended graphics (QXGA), a display resolution of 2048×1536 pixels with a 4:3 aspect ratio to provide full high definition (HD) viewing experience. The imminent deals would assure that Samsung and LG continue to be the biggest providers of flat screens to Apple for the foreseeable future. Samsung and LG are two of the few LCD makers that are at ease with highly-advanced LCD screens.”
Supposedly, Apple has started quality testing the screens in one of its factories in China, according to unnamed sources. As 9to5Mac points out, Apple is pretty strict about its screen requirements – believed to be higher than 280 pixels-per-inch. So if the screens are, in fact, that high-res it could leave the door open for Apple to market the next iPad as a Retina display device the way it does the iPhone 4. Bringing up the resolution to double what it is on the iPad and iPad 2 should make it fairly easy for developers to scale up their apps to the new device.
Another report suggests two iPhones this summer
Elsewhere in the rumor mill, a new report from Boy Genius Report from an “incredibly solid source” reinforces what we’ve been hearing about Apple rolling out two iPhones this summer along with iOS 5: the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5, and a cheaper unlocked iPhone for prepaid plan customers.
BGR says the unlocked iPhone will go for $350 without a contract, and it could very well be an unlocked iPhone 3GS. It also maintains that the iPhone 5 will be a radical redesign over the iPhone 4, but its unnamed source isn’t sure if that will be the phone that Apple releases in September, or if that device will be held back till next year.
Hope that sates your rumor needs. They more or less jibe with the things that we’ve been hearing over and over, but it’s the timeline on the various devices that’s not too clear. It seems like new iPhones and iPads are on the horizon, however, if unnamed sources are to be believed. A lot of new developments should be coming to light at the end of next month.
