Apple component suppliers in Asia have reportedly received orders for as many as 10 million units of Apple’s incoming smaller iPad.
The smaller tablet, dubbed the ‘iPad mini’, is expected to launch this month. Apple expects 10 million units will cover three months’ worth of interest, reported the Wall Street Journal.
The tablet is reported to have a 7.85in liquid-crystal display with a lower resolution than its bigger predecessor, the third-generation 9.5in iPad with Apple’s 2048 x 1536 ‘retina display’.
Mass production of the mini iPad reportedly began early this month. Display makers LG Display and AU Optronics were said to be manufacturing LCD screens for the new tablet.
Apple is yet to comment on its plans.
The concept of a 7in iPad was publicly dismissed by former CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs during his tenure at the helm of the company.
A smaller Apple tablet would compete with the likes of Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD. Pricing is yet to be revealed but is expected to be significantly lower than Apple’s current iPad.
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