Apple's 9.7-inch iPad supply chains are preparing for shipments of more than 10 million units in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to industry sources.
The company's supply chains started gearing up for the release of a new 9.7-inch iPad in the third quarter and expect to see strong orders from the company as Apple anticipates a surge in shipments exceeding 10 million units during the fourth quarter largely due to the year-end holidays.
The next-generation 9.7-inch iPad is expected to come with IPS panels supplied by LG Display, Samsung Display and Sharp, with LG responsible for 70% of shipments, Samsung 20% and Sharp 10%.
In terms of the touch panels, the next generation iPad will have GF2 technology that will be supplied mostly by Japan-based Nitto Denko and Nissha Printing.
Additionally, Radiant Opto-Electronics will be mostly responsible for providing backlighting units (BLUs) while Foxconn Electronics will remain as the main assembler for the device.
Industry sources meanwhile said there is speculation in the market that Apple will most likely release a larger-size iPhone in the second half of 2014 in addition to a 12.85-inch tablet product. Moreover, it is likely that Apple's rumored iTV and iWatch will not be released until the second half of 2014, the sources added.
