The China Economic News Service (CENS) has a report today that says that manufactures in Apple’s supply chain have already started to supply Apple with required parts and components, and that production on the iPad 3 will start in earnest in October. According to CENS’ sources, the iPad 3 supply chain will be very similar to that of the iPad 2, with the likes of LG Display supplying its panels for the new tablet, and Hon Hai Precision continuing to be responsible for the device’s assembly. New component suppliers are said to include Taiwan-based Pegatron Corp, which has long been rumoured to have won the contract to work alongside Hon Hai in assembling the next iPad, and Sharp from Japan, which CENS says will most likely be replacing South Korea’s Samsung as Apple’s display panel supplier for the iPad 3. As far as timeline is concerned, this information, should it prove to be accurate, would fit in well with the recent rumours that the iPad 3 will be launched in early 2012.
Source: iPad 3 Production to Start in Oct. | CENS.com - The Taiwan Economic News