High iPad mini demand has seen display supplier Sharp slow 9.7-inch iPad screen production in order to focus on Apple’s 7.9-inch tablet, latest reports have suggested.
Claiming that Sharp has “nearly halted production” of 9.7-inch iPad screens, the new reports have hinted that rising interest in the recent iPad mini release has resulted in reduced full-size iPad sales, with Apple reducing orders of components to match demand.
Citing unnamed “industry sources”, news house Reuters has claimed that Sharp has started to focus much of its efforts on iPad mini screen production, whilst recent iPad mini 2 rumours have suggested Apple’s second-generation 7-inch tablet has already entered production ahead of a March iPad mini 2 release date.
Although Sharp spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama said “We don’t disclose production levels,” the latest reports have quoted “people with knowledge of the near total production shutdown” in stating “Sharp has stopped shipping iPad panels.
With industry analysts recently suggesting the iPad mini range will grow to account for 60 per cent of all Apple tablets sold in 2013, reports of reduced 9.7-inch iPad screen production have suggested consumer interest in the Google Nexus 7 rival has been even stronger than expected.
Adding to concerns of reduced Apple sales, earlier this week the Apple saw its stocks drop below $500 for the first time in almost a year after a number of reports suggested the Cuperino based company had slowed iPhone 5 screen production in response to slow sales.
Apple iPad mini Specs
Apple’s first foray into the 7-inch tablet scene, the iPad mini specs sheet might not have wowed many but the 7.2mm thick, brushed aluminium designed has won the tablet many fans.
Available in both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi 3G/4G forms, the iPad mini, which also comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage options, sees a 7.9-inch 1024 x 768p screen line up alongside a 5-megapixel rear-mounted camera and a second, forward-facing snapper.
With a dual-core A5 processor running the show alongside iOS 6 and a 10 hour battery life, the iPad mini weighs in at just 308g in weight.
Have you snapped up a new Apple branded tablet in the recent weeks, did you plump for the iPad mini or full size 9.7-inch iPad? Let us know via the Trusted Reviews Twitter and Facebook feeds or through the comment boxes below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
