Apple has reached a deal with Samsung to supply three million 9.7-inch display panels for use in the iPad. According to a Korea Times report, the deal is expected to be worth $240 million. “Samsung Electronics has won a contract worth $240 million from Apple to supply 3 million LCD panels used in the iPads,” said a high-ranking industry representative.
“The most expensive component in the iPad is the display and touch-screen interface that costs $80 for all models. The 9.7-inch display is more than twice the size of the iPhone 3GS screen and costs five times as much.” The report cites a separate executive from Samsung Mobile Display, who says Apple is also placing orders with the company for displays to be used in the fourth-generation iPhone. “As far as I know, Apple will use the LCD panels for its next iPhone models.
We are receiving related orders from Apple,” said the executive. Apple’s iPad, which launches April 3, uses a display technology called in-plane switching (IPS) to deliver more consistent color and wider viewing angles than those offered by more conventional LCD displays. [via AppleInsider]
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