Report: Apple to launch ‘full HD’ iPad 3 in March, followed by iPad 4 in October

A new report today claimed Apple is gearing up to release a next-generation “iPad 3” with a “full HD display” in March, followed by an “iPad 4” in October. The report came from Asian supply chain watcher DigiTimes who cited Taiwanese industry sources again.  Digitimes’ record has been more than a little shaky, especially of late, so approach with caution…

According to the report, iPad 3 will sport a QXGA display (1,536 x 2,048 pixel) and improved battery life, but otherwise hardware specifications will remain largely unchanged. The launch of iPad 3 in March will apparently see the current generation iPad 2 receive a price cut to $399:

The iPad 3 will come with a QXGA (1,536×2,048 pixels) display and longer battery life although its other hardware specifications may not be so amazing as expected, said the sources. But Apple will take the advantage of the iPad 3 launch to slash the price of its iPad 2 to US$399, the sources claimed.

DigiTimes claimed that Apple will drop another 9.7-inch iPad dubbed “iPad 4” by October. The device is expected to have “killer applications,” all-around upgraded hardware specifications, and “integrated applications so as to compete with an array of Android-, Wintel- or WoA (Windows on ARM)-based tablet PCs.” Previously the publication claimed Apple had a 7.85-inch iPad in the works for a late 2012 launch, which their sources later claimed would no longer be happening…

As of latest reports from last month, DigiTimes said the next-generation iPad is expected to double its current battery capacity to approximately 14,000mAH. The report also backs up the upgraded resolution mentioned today.

Last night we reported that Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge tweeted multiple details regarding a next-generation iPad from what he believed were reliable sources. Horwitz claimed the next iPad will receive a much improved camera system with a FaceTime HD camera on the front, and backside camera comparably to the lens on iPhone 4S and 4. He also backed up earlier claims that the new iPad may have to be slightly thicker to accommodate upgraded components. Like DigiTimes, Horwitz’s sources believe the iPad 3 will launch in March, while the iPad 2 will get bumped down to $399

Today we discovered evidence in the iOS 5.1 beta that suggests Apple is working on quad-core iOS devices.