iPad Mini 2 Release Date Now Set On March Or April 2014; Apple Hires Samsung To Supply Retina Display; Rival Tech Firms Ready To Make Amends?
iPad Mini 2 release date may unfortunately not happen this year.
New reports were claiming that the iPad Mini 2 release date may happen as late as March or April of next year. According to Cross Map, citing University Herald, the production of the second-gen mini Apple table with Retina Display will continue through the entire 2013, making iPad Mini 2 release date possibly set on the 3rd or 4th month of next year.
According to the report, the 7.9 inch iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display "takes up too much power in its current state and will require a redesign on its parts for power efficiency."
Furthermore, International Business Times posted that Apple is hiring back Samsung to its supply chain, as the dealer for the high-resolution Retina display panel for the iPad Mini 2. Citing ETNews, Apple has reportedly ended its contract wth AU Optronics for the production of the mini iOS tablet. Accordingly, AU Optronics failed to "to meet the supply deadlines or to develop an LCD with high penetration rate."
It seems that AU Optonics is not ready for the new tasks, with Apple planning to apply oxide semiconductor LCD to the iPad Mini 2, as it helps in saving electricity.
Because of this, Samsung is poised to replace the responsibility of AU Optronics, making it a part of the supply chain for the mass production of iPad Mini 2.
Everyone knows that Samsung is a major competitor of the Cupertino-based tech firm and Apple has been slowly pushing out the South Korean manufacturer out of its supply chain environment, after years of working together.
But the two giant tech firms seems to be all set to make amends with each other as an Apple Insider said, "Apple may have felt comfortable in allegedly dropping AUO as an LCD supplier because of an improved relationship with Samsung Display."
Watch out for more upcoming details or official confirmation regarding iPad Mini 2 release date.