iPad 3 displays already shipping to Apple

We're entering that special time of year. No, not the season when people begin to wrap presents and trim their trees, but those months leading up to the period when it's assumed that Apple will launch its next-gen tablet that iPad rumors abound.

The latest report comes from Digitimes, which has claimed makers of iPad displays including Samsung, LG, and Sharp shipped one million high-res panels for the iPad 3 in October. It also said these suppliers will increase shipments to two million units in November.

Apple will begin assembling the third iPad in January of 2012, Digitimes also said.

It alleged that Apple is developing a new 7.85-inch panel, and suppliers AU Optronics (AUO) and LG have already sent samples to Apple. However, Digitimes said it couldn't determine whether or not Apple would add an iPad of this size to its line next year.

Meanwhile, All Things D reported last month that evidence in supply chains (such as increased iPad orders) suggests the rumored iPad 3 is headed into production. It also predicted that the device will appear sometime in March. That's a logical assumption since the iPad 2 was released on March 11 of this year.

As far as specs go, Digitimes said they'll be similar to the iPad 2. There have also been rumors that the iPad 3 will be lighter and thinner.

Digitimes' latest report didn't mention any specifics about the resolution, which has been a heavily discussed aspect of the next iPad, especially considering Apple didn't upgrade the iPad 2's display. There has been chatter that the iPad 3 would feature a Retina display, but CNet claimed recently that the company has struggled to reach the level of pixel density necessary, and it said Apple might instead go with the intermediate option of 1,600 x 1,200 resolution (which we find hard to believe.)

This article, written by Leslie Horn, originally appeared on PCMag.com and is republished on Gear Live with the permission of Ziff Davis, Inc.