Apple Ups by 50% Orders to AUO for iPad Mini Displays

Taipei, Oct. 15, 2012 (CENS)--AU Optronics Corp. (AUO), a major maker of thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panel in Taiwan, has replaced old photo masks to overcome problems in production of display panels for Apple's new iPad mini, hence motivating Apple to increase order by 50%, according to insiders but not commented upon by AUO.

Industry sources say AUO originally had minor problems in meeting Apple's requirement for under-2.2 JND (Just Noticeable Difference). Apple originally asked AUO to supply two million iPad mini panels per month, but has elevated its monthly order with AUO to three million panels, which will be scheduled for delivery in mid-October.

According to sources in the display supply chain, Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology Corp. (TSMT), a major LCD SMT (Surface-mount Technology) production solution provider, is supplying LED lighting strips and control boards to AUO. In conjunction with AUO's expanding shipments of iPad mini panels, TSMT is expected to hit record high monthly revenue in September or October.

Coretronic Corp., the major supplier of backlighting modules to iPad mini panels to both AUO and LG Display of South Korea, is also expected to hit record high revenue in September of October, industry sources said.