TAIPEI, Taiwan－ According to Taiwan media reports, in order to reduce the threat from large-screen smart phones to the iPad, Apple is collaborating with supply chains to develop a large 12.9-inch iPad. The most critical assembly will be obtained exclusively from Quanta, and mass production is expected to begin as soon as the first quarter of next year.
Currently Apple provides two types of iPads: the 7.9-inch and 9.7-inch models, with Honghai and Pagatron as OEMs. However, in recent years due to the influence of large-screen smartphones and low-priced notebooks, iPad sales have gradually fallen. As a result, Apple and Quanta are doing research and development for a 12.9-inch iPad in hopes of creating a new tablet market.
Analysts have pointed out that Quanta was originally a major OEM manufacturer for apple notebooks, and it has abundant experience assembling large-sized mobile device products. Adding Quanta’s OEM value will increase Apples’ competitiveness; therefore, it has become the chief OEM manufacturer for the large iPad model. Furthermore, Quanta is also the principle OEM manufacturer for the Apple iWatch.
Industry pundits believe that for Apple, revenue from the iPad is second to only the iPhone, but recently sales volumes have declined for two consecutive quarters. This has compelled Apple to do research and development for new iPads with different sizes in order to attract greater market visibility.
Currently Apple has already sent out formal invitations for a product press conference and is expected to announce new products on September 9th in the United States. Most anticipate that the 12.9-inch iPad will be launched during the second quarter of next year at earliest.
