iPad 2 might be delayed until June

Update: Reuters is disputing the iPad claim

According to a research note from Yuanta Securities Co. today, Apple initially planned to launch the iPad 2 during April of this year, but due to a number of reasons this launch may be delayed until June. This possible delay is said to be due to “production bottlenecks” at Apple’s sourced manufacturing plant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. These “bottlenecks” are said to be occurring since Apple made last minute design changes to their second generation iPad right before the Chinese New Year; that would be around 3 weeks ago.

This June release date seems a bit odd as this is the month that Apple typically releases a new version of their iPhone handset. On the other hand, Apple could possibly introduce the new touch-screen tablet at a May event with an early June release date. Apple will then hold their annual WWDC conference during the first two weeks of June (possibly the 5th-9th) and the fifth-generation iPhone will then probably launch in late June or early July.

Apple’s second generation iPad is rumored to be thinner, lighter, faster and will reportedly sport more memory and faster graphics hardware. The iPad 2 is rumored to have gone into production during the first week of February with a rumored release date during March or April.

In recent weeks, rumors have emerged that an iPad 3 was planned for later this year with a “Retina display.” Perhaps Apple chose to wait until those displays are ready?  Perhaps they saw something at CES or MWC that they didn’t like (not likely). Perhaps they will implement those fancy Super PLS displays from Samsung?

We are not completely sure who to believe at this point, but shipping delays due to last minute changes from Apple are certainly possible.

Dang.