Apple could have display issues with iPad 3

Apple could have some display issues with its new third-generation iPad, such as supply shortages and a huge battery drain, according to analysts at DisplaySearch.

The retina display is without doubt the main feature of the iPad 3, or “new iPad” as it is officially called, but the enhanced clarity and higher resolution do not come without a price.DisplaySearch said that doubling the pixel density means a significantly smaller aperture ratio, which requires a brighter backlight. To compensate for this the iPad 3 features at least twice as many LEDs at the 36 employed in the iPad 2.The problem with this is that it uses a lot more power. While Apple has added a larger and more powerful battery, and promised that it can run for up to 10 hours, the same time as an iPad 2, DisplaySearch analysts believe that this battery was employed to address the higher power usage of the A5X chip, not the additional LEDs. This could mean that, despite Apples promises, the iPad 3 will have lower battery life than previous models.DisplaySearch also highlighted the fact that the iPad 3s 264ppi display is significantly less than the iPhone 4s 326ppi, a fact which might disappoint some users.Another problem, which will undoubtedly be a big issue given the popularity of Apple devices, is the potential that that the Cupertino, California-based company might find it difficult to get enough supply. DisplaySearch found that Sharp, Samsung and LG Display, all of which make the panels, have had some difficulty achieving the 264ppi density on an a-Si TFT display. Whether or not these can be pumped out in the quantity that Apple will want or need remains to be seen.The iPad 3 goes on sale on 16 March.