A report released today by the Taiwan Economic News indicates that Apple’s next-generation iPad 3 tablet will be built around a new battery which has been designed to be both thinner and lighter than that found powering the iPad 2. The report quotes industry sources that state that Apple is working with both Simplo Technology Company and Dynapack International Technology Corporation to design and manufacture the new battery packs, which are expected to bring improved battery life and enable Apple to trim some of the iPad’s size. Both companies currently work with Apple, and are supplying batteries that power devices ranging from MacBook laptops to the iPad 2 tablet.
The report claims that the “iPad 3 battery module will call for advanced technologies, selling for a higher price to benefit Simplo and Dynapack for sure, especially when the two companies have had their battery packs pass the IEEE 1625 test as the only two battery makers in Taiwan for the moment.” While Apple is likely very pleased that the batteries are of a high quality, the downside is the cost; the report claims that these new battery packs will cost Apple up to 30% more than those found in the iPad 2. If this is true, Apple will have to decide between keeping the iPad 3’s price competitive with other tablets on the market, or losing some of their profit margin until the cost to produce the batteries falls in line.
With most news outlets expecting Apple to ship the iPad 3 with a ‘retina display’ capable of a 2048×1536 resolution, the new battery is most likely a necessary upgrade. Powering such a display will tax the battery pack much more than the iPad 2’s 1024×768 display as there are considerably more pixels to render and the processor will be working overtime on graphics and other calculations. As today’s report alludes to, it’s likely that Apple saw no other alternative than to go with a newer, more powerful battery design that is capable of handling the increased load.
With the iPad 3 still many months away from its rumored launch date, it’s important to take today’s report in the Taiwan Economic News with the proverbial grain of salt. Apple still has a long way to go before it has to turn in final hardware to manufacturers, so the iPad 3’s battery, display or any other part may undergo revision before making its way into consumers’ hands. With no word expected out of Apple until it’s ready to launch the next iPad, we will simply have to wait to see what Cupertino’s next-generation tablet will bring.
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