iPad mini 2 Display Rumors Heat Up

As consumers hold out hope for an iPad mini 2 with a Retina Display Apple continues to shake up the supply chain and could be prepared to join up with Samsung for the iPad line, following rumors Apple will use Samsung for new iPhone parts.

A new iPad mini is expected in 2013, but sources cannot agree on whether or not Apple will be able to deliver an iPad mini 2 with a Retina Display. The current iPad mini uses the same resolution display as the iPad 2, while there is hope Apple will upgrade it to a 2048 x 1536 resolution display. This is the same resolution as the iPad 4, and if it arrives in a 7.9-inch iPad mini display it would deliver a better looking display.

Read: iPad mini 2 vs. iPad mini: 5 Things Buyers Need to Know

Late last week a report from DigiTimes claimed that Apple turned to LG Display to deliver 2-3 million iPad mini 2 Retina Display panels and claimed an iPad mini 2 launch in October.

A new report today from etnews claims Apple is shedding a longtime iPad display provider who made iPad mini displays because it could not deliver the iPad mini 2 display Apple required. The report states AUO, “failed to develop an high penetration LCD for iPad Mini 2.” It’s not clear if the publication which is originally written in Korean is talking about production yields for a new iPad mini 2 display or if this is in reference to a higher resolution display.

There is speculation that Apple will turn to Samsung Display to produce the iPad mini 2 display alongside LG and Sharp. While the etnews report does not specifically call out an iPad mini 2 Retina Display, a previous report from etnews in June claimed Apple tapped Samsung Display to make the iPad mini 2 Retina Display, stating, “Samsung Display is to supply 7.9-inch retina display with 2048×1536.”

Samsung and Apple appear to be reconciling after a nasty and expensive lawsuit in 2012. Despite fierce competition between the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Note 3, rumors point to Samsung making the iPhone processor after the iPhone 6 arrives and chatter of Samsung Displays in the iPad mini continue to swirl.

Read: Why You Shouldn’t Wait for the iPad mini 2

There are still conflicting reports on whether or not the iPad mini 2 will feature a Retina Display. NPD DisplaySearch previously stated the iPad mini with Retina Display would not come until 2014, then changed course saying it would come in Q3 2013 a day later.