As per reports pouring in from south-east Asia, Hitachi and Sony are working on 4”displays for an iOS device which will be launched early next year. Besides, Apple is also rumored to be working on a new display technology for the iPad 4.
Sources within Apple seem to be suggesting that Hitachi Displays ltd. & Sony Mobile Display Corp have already begun shipments of the 4” inch display. Also the two would soon be merging with Toshiba Mobile Display Co. Ltd. to form “Japan Display” in the spring of 2012.
Earlier we had separate rumors suggesting that Apple is working with Sharp to manufacture much thinner displays than the current crop. Apple is also said to have invested a huge sum, estimated to be around $1 billion in Sharp’s LCD plants. Sharp is also rumored to be working on a new technology based LCD panels called IGZO (indium, gallium, zinc) LCD panels.
Apple is said to have approached different multiple suppliers for LCD displays after relations strained with Samsung over patent infringement issues.
Apple is known to source its components from multiple sources and hence it would not be a surprise if Apple is indeed sourcing from the above said manufacturers.