Apple may have plans to release an ‘upgraded’ third generation iPad this summer

As iPad Mini rumors have cooled off as of lately, Digitimes is out reporting that Apple has plans to launch another 9.7 inch iPad this summer. Upgrades would occur with the iPads size and battery life. This news comes exclusively from a Chinese Apple Daily report, sourced from various market watchers.

The new ‘upgraded’ iPad can be expected to feature a new indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) panel allowing for a even slimmer iPad. An upgraded battery is even in the rumor-books, but the specific model and specs are unstated.

Originally Apple even had plans for Sharp to supply panels for the New iPad, but the plans fell apart forcing the Cupertino company to revert to Samsung. Just months after the iPads release Sharp looks to have their act together with their IGZO panels ready for mass-shipment.

Sharps IGZO technology back during March and months prior was very limited. This resulted in Apple purchasing displays from Samsung in order to keep the March 16th release. If the IGZO technology was readily available back then, we all would have thin and lighter devices.

 Currently, 60-70% of current iPad panels are supplied by Samsung, with the rest shared by LG Display and Sharp. But as Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has recently made investments in Sharp, Sharp is expected to see its proportion rise to 50% for the upgraded iPad, added the paper citing its sources.

With the new iPad being only a few months old I wouldn’t imagine Apple releasing a thin and lighter device. If they happened to do so it may be done quietly under the same Third Generation iPad branding.

Seems quite odd, do you think Apple really has plans for a thin,lighter iPad?