Production for 9.7-inch iPad products is expected to decrease by 40% in the first quarter, according to industry sources.
The sources said the decrease is because the first quarter of each year is traditionally the slow purchasing period for electronics goods and because Apple is seeing increased sales for its iPad mini.
As a result, Sharp will stop nearly all production for iPad panel products throughout the period at one of its northern Taiwan-based plants, and touch panel makers TPK and Wintek are expected to see decreased revenues as a result, added the sources.
However, the sources noted that Sharp's production cut is also because the company is working on panel technology for Apple's next-generation iPad and iPad mini products. Apple is expected to seek out LG Display and Samsung Display to make up for Sharp's supply if necessary.
Meanwhile, the sources said that at present the iPad mini has a relatively higher BOM cost than 9.7-inch iPad products, which could lead to further declines in Apple's revenues in the future, if the iPad mini prevails in sales over the iPad.
Production for iPad products expected to decrease by 40% in 1Q13
Photo: Shihmin Fu, Digitimes, January 2013
Photo: Shihmin Fu, Digitimes, January 2013
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