Apple unveiled the iPad mini with Retina Display alongside the new iPad Air earlier this month. While a November 1 launch date was given for the iPad Air, Apple only promised that the iPad mini would launch sometime in November. One of Apple’s retail partners may have let the proverbial cat out of the bag. Target.com currently lists it with a release date of November 21, 2013.
Rumours have consistently pointed to Apple and its manufacturing partners not being able so far to ramp up production to a point where it could meet the expected demand for the tablet. A report by Digitimes yesterday traced the supply constraints back to a single component, the 7.9-inch display panel being produced by Sharp. It reportedly accounts for 40% of the display supply with LG. Sharp is reportedly seeing low production yields with its Oxide TFT process. Constraints may not ease until early 2014.
Even Apple CEO Tim Cook effectively confirmed the supply challenges on this week’s earning call, saying that “It’s unclear whether we’ll have enough for the quarter or not.”
While we now have a possible launch date for the iPad mini with Retina Display, it may still be a challenge to get your hands on one.
Sources : Target.com // Digitimes // MacRumors