Quality issues with LG manufactured panels to blame for iPad 2 shortage

Quality control problems with LCD panels from LG Display may have contributed to the prolonged shortage of the iPad 2. According to the report from Digitimes, early batches of the 9.7-inch panels supplied by LG had a light leak issue that limited LG's ability to meet demand. As a result, LG only produced 3.2 million panels in the first quarter of 2011, a figure that trails the four million panels produced by Samsung. This report corroborates an earlier report from IHS iSuppli that blamed the iPad 2 shortage on an unknown manufacturing problem with LCDs.

LG has reportedly fixed this light leakage problem and is back on track to ramp up production this spring. Chimei Innolux is also prepping to contribute to the supply of IPS panels for the iPad 2 starting in May. If both these manufacturers can boost production, then perhaps iPad 2 supply constraints can be eased in this current quarter.

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Source: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110505PD216.html

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Quality control problems with LCD panels from LG Display may have contributed to the prolonged shortage of the iPad 2. According to...

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olemike41

Funny, I exchange my iPad 2 yesterday @ the Apple Store in Roseville, Ca for this very reason. My new one looks great. It's the 32GB wifi in black (never bet against black) which I believe is a rather popular unit (I said "unit" he-he). It is reasonable to believe that this one would have the newer Samsung display, but again, this is Apple. I love my iPad 2 and I hope to use it for many years to come.

(Love, Peace & Chicken Grease)

May 07 2011 at 7:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

tdowling

If there's light bleed, will it typically be obvious right away, or does it develop over time? Mine's looking fine after a couple days /crossing fingers/

May 06 2011 at 1:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to tdowling's comment

Gareth Burleigh

It will be noticeable immediately on boot screen, if you can't see an issue don't go looking for one. Happy you got yourself a good one

Gareth

May 06 2011 at 5:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Seth N

I have had 4 iPad 2s so far. 3 white, one black. All with light leak issues. Each replacement worse. I'm currently waiting for my fifth replacement to arrive in the mail.

May 06 2011 at 1:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

johnson412

My iPad 2 also has some slight light bleed, but it's not nearly bad enough to warrant having it replaced. Every other product with an LCD that I've ever owned has this issue to a far worse extent, including my late 2008 MacBook.

May 06 2011 at 12:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Logic Bus

My iPad 2's panel also has some light bleed in the corners. It's minor, and it's only noticeable when the screen is mostly black, and only if you're looking for it.

May 06 2011 at 11:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Robert

I must have one of the LG panels because I have the light leak issue. I've been waiting for the demand to come back before bothering to have it replaced. It's not really that big a deal, but for what I spent, I want it to work as it should.

May 06 2011 at 10:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gareth Burleigh

Im on my 3rd iPad 2 all have had unacceptable bleed (I say bleed it looks more like excess pressure on the panel), sadly I had to work on the day I was supposed to be swapping this one out and am now outside of my 14 day period so Im stuck with this one or swap for a brown box refurb.

To be honest Im a little irritated with Apple on this one, they just shouldnt have left the factory with such a clear defect.

Gareth

May 06 2011 at 10:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply