Report: Apple to double the capacity of next iPad battery, release two different models with high megapixel cameras

Seth Weintraub | Dec 28 2011 - 7:35 pm PT

A report this evening from DigiTimes said the next iPad will have a monster battery that will more than double the current 6579 mAH to a whopping 14,000mAH. Apple currently uses battery suppliers Simplo Technology and Dynapack who both denied to comment on the report.

Furthermore, Apple is set to unveil two versions of its next-iPad, “One for the high-end segment and one for the mid-range segment” according to another DigiTimes report. Strangely, the report said the new iPads will be released at Macworld/iWorld in late January, a show that Apple has no plans to attend right now and bowed out of completely two years ago.

Apple is set to unveil its next-generation iPad – which will come in two versions – at the iWorld scheduled for January 26, 2012, according to sources at its supply chain partners

This is extremely unlikely; however, perhaps, a same-time but separate release could happen. More details that are interesting were reported, as well….

The 7.85-inch display iPad that DigiTimes had originally rumored is no longer in the plans (or likely never was).

Instead of the previously-rumored 7.85-inch, the upcoming iPad models will still feature 9.7-inch screens but come with QXGA resolution (1,536×2,048 pixels), the sources indicated. Dual-LED light bars are designed for the new iPads to strengthen the brightness of the panels, the sources added.

We had heard about the dual LED light bars earlier that may be the cause of the bigger battery and contribute to the thicker iPad. Additionally, a report from what became the Verge said an iPad HD was in the works that would run a new Touch version of Final Cut Pro.

Sharp will be the major display provider with Samsung and LG also providing displays, as well. Samsung will manufacture the new A6 processor in Texas that will at least power the high-end version. Additionally, the report said serious cameras are on deck for the new iPads that would boast 5-to 8-megapixel cameras from Samsung and Sony.

Samsung is also among the CMOS image sensor (CIS) suppliers for one of the versions of the new iPad that comes with a 5-megapixel lens, marking the Korea-based vendor’s first time to grab CIS orders from Apple, the sources noted. Sony is the other CIS supplier for the other model with a higher 8-megapixel lens, the sources added.

We have heard earlier reports that the next iPad would be significantly thicker and this might be a reason. We have had additional parts, including assembly and buttons, that seem to indicate iPads are currently in production.

In a third report, Digitimes says that Apple has already begun phasing out iPad 2.