The Korea Times tells that Samsung and LG are currently testing and preparing mass production of high-resolution LCD panels for Apple’s iPad 3. The panel is said to feature a 2048x1536 pixel resolution.

Retina Display in iPad 3
LG is one of Apple’s main suppliers of IPS LCD panels in iPhones and iPads but recently Samsung has ramped up production of the PLS panel type with IPS characteristics. As a result, Apple is believed to have made Samsung a second LCD supplier for iPads.


The next iPad could feature a Retina Display

Citing industry sources, The Korea Times has reported that Samsung and LG are currently testing HD screens with a 2048x1536 pixel resolution for the iPad 3. The screens use the 4:3 aspect ratio, which makes Apple able to scale Apps to fit the new higher resolution.

The panel measures 9.7 inches in diagonal; same as the panel in iPad and iPad 2. A 2048x1536 pixel resolution in a 9.7-inch panel gives a pixel pitch close to that of the iPhone 4, making it a “Retina Display”.

The LCD panel is made of low temperature polysilicon (or p-Si). With the p-Si method (or LTPS) TFTs (transistors) are made of polycristalline silicon enabling manufacturers to produce smaller pixels, to create slimmer panels and to mount drivers directly to the substrate.

The information has not been confirmed but rumors about a HD panel in a coming iPad revision have been around for some time. Apple's next iPad is expected to launch either later this year or in March-April 2012.

- Source: The Korea Times