Apple iPad Shipments to Reach 100 Million in 2013?

In 2012, Apple’s iPad continues to dominate tablet PC panel production. According to our Quarterly Large Area TFT Panel Shipment Report, panel makers including Samsung, LG Display, Sharp and Innolux will ship 70 million 9.7” iPad panels in 2012. Of those, 23 million will be iPad 2 XGA panels and 47 million will be new iPad QXGA panels, using both a-Si and oxide TFT technologies. While the new iPad was originally planned to replace the iPad 2, strong sales of the legacy model have continued, and panel makers have adjusted new iPad panel production downward while maintaining production of iPad 2 panels.

When Apple unveiled the iPad mini in October many criticized it’s $329 price as too expensive for a 7 segment tablet PC, given competition from other 7” tablet PCs, including Amazon Kindle Fire, Google Nexus, ASUS, and many private labels. However, there is always a strong base of customers who only want Apple products; recently, the iPad mini was voted one of the hottest consumer products of 2012 in Japan. The iPad mini immediately faced supply shortages for its 7.85” XGA display, supplied by AUO and LG Display. Originally, Apple planned to sell 6 million units in 2012; according to the Quarterly Small/Medium Shipment and Forecast Report, only 1.6 million panels shipped in Q3’12, but Apple is asking panel makers to ship more than 12 million in Q4’12 to fulfill the strong demand.