Apple Adding Second Manufacturer for Forthcoming iPad Update?

ipad 2 boxDigiTimes reports that Apple is planning to bring on a second manufacturing partner for the iPad as part of the rollout of the updated models rumored for release later this year.

Apple reportedly plans to add a second manufacturer for iPad 3 tablet PCs in addition to Foxconn Electronics with Taiwan-based Quanta Computer and [Pegatron] Technology being indicated as the potential contenders for the possible orders, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

[Pegatron], which reportedly have landed iPhone 5 orders from Apple, stands a better chance of winning the iPad 3 orders, the sources noted.

Both Pegatron and Quanta are existing manufacturing partners for Apple, with Pegatron being responsible for CDMA iPhone 4 production while Quanta is a long-time partner for Mac production.

The report notes that Apple's decision to add a new manufacturer for the iPad is due in significant part to the explosion at Foxconn's new production plant in Chengdu that killed three workers and saw the company temporarily halt work in all of its polishing shops as it investigated the incident. That series of events reportedly convinced Apple of the need to diversify its manufacturing partnerships in order to minimize risk.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
ios 26 1 slide to stop

iOS 26.1 Brings Back 2007 Feature in New Way

Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important. Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped. The new ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Coming Soon: New Features for Your iPhone and Release Date

Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more. Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1. Release Date Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
M5 MacBook Pro

Waiting for New Macs? Apple Just Shared Bad News

Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year. Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

8 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
maxresdefault

Apple TV 4K Could Still Launch Before 2025 Ends: All the Rumored Features

Monday October 27, 2025 4:51 pm PDT by
Apple is designing an updated version of the Apple TV 4K, and rumors suggest that it could come out sometime in the next couple of months. We're not expecting a major overhaul with design changes, but even a simple chip upgrade will bring major improvements to Apple's set-top box. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We've rounded up all the latest Apple TV rumors. ...
ipad mini 7 feature blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Wednesday October 29, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
Rumors are stoking excitement for the next-generation iPad mini that Apple is reportedly close to launching. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock 1

Leaker Outlines Potential New Colors for iPhone 18 Pro

Friday October 31, 2025 8:28 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models could be available in new rich and warm color option, according to a known leaker. The Weibo user known as "Instant Digital" today suggested that next-year's iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in at least one of the following color options: Coffee, purple, and burgundy. The iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro were all available in ...
apple tv hd

Apple Launched Its Big New Vision for TV 10 Years Ago Today

Thursday October 30, 2025 8:58 am PDT by
Apple launched the Apple TV HD, the Siri Remote, tvOS, and their accompanying App Store a decade ago today, marking a major overhaul of the device. The new vision for the Apple TV was unveiled on September 9, 2015 during Apple's "Hey Siri" event in San Francisco, where CEO Tim Cook introduced the device with the statement, "The future of TV is apps." The announcement represented a major...

Top Rated Comments

Yvan256 Avatar
187 months ago
Old saying is still true today

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HarryKeogh Avatar
187 months ago
I wonder if this is linked to the rumours of an iPad factory in Brazil from a while ago.

God, that is going to be such a sexy factory.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zimmer62943 Avatar
187 months ago
come on guys, do you REALLY think there is going to be another ipad released this year? these rumours should stop just like that old iphone mini one that has been going since iphone was first announced... so where is it??
There will be NO ipad 2.5, 2S, HD, 3 etc this year.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xraydoc Avatar
187 months ago
LOL



Whatever we end up seeing, I am going to wait. I am looking for USB ports for my thumb drive, I'm ok either way with having high def screens and maybe SD card slots (as long as I get the USB ports).



I am taking all these rumors with a grain of salt (and sugar for good measure, lol). The only proof we will have of anything is when we see it in front of our faces. Until then, we can't be sure.

No iPad 3 this year. No iPad 2 HD - Apple would never want to marginalize the existing iPad 2 has somehow being inferior - not HD - especially when tons of iPad apps call themselves "HD" versions (i.e., Angry Birds, Angry Birds HD).

There's no financial sense in Apple rushing to spend the money to modify the iPad 2 production specs when they still sell every single one they make.

While it's only my opinion, like all the other speculation here, I don't foresee a new iPad until March.

And as for a micro-SD card slot, keep dreaming. Since no other Apple product contains a micro-SD card, there's no reason to put such a slot on the iPad. Standard SD cards found in cameras (and flash thumb drives with a DCIM folder) can be read with the Camera Connection Kit that Apple sells. And since there's no user-accessible file system on the iPad, Apple has no motivation to open up accessing documents on a thumb drives. You're meant to use iCloud (eventually) for that.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Popeye206 Avatar
187 months ago
"iPad HD". That is so bizarre. If this is true it's because the only thing iPad is lagging behind in is the screen res. I have an iPad 2, but I will treat this as a, "3GS" and wait for a fully realized iPad 3 or 4. My iPad just sits on my coffee table for guests to doodle around on. I would imagine most of us have a Macbook Pro as well to fill that, "Prosumer" void.

I love how just because the iPad is not a retina screen "it's lagging". For goodness sake, it's as good as or better 90% of the laptops on the market. It's not lagging that much unless you compare to the iPhone 4.

Don't get me wrong... I'd love a HD screen for the iPad, but I don't see what's so horrible about the current screen.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Day48 Avatar
187 months ago
So is it "iPad 3" or the previous rumor "iPad 'HD' or 'Pro'" To many different rumors. No body knows anything. I doubt its this year...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)