Samsung 'to supply screens for next iPad and iPad mini'

iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 screens to be provided by Samsung, claims report

Despite the bitter patent battles in courts around the world, South Korean giant Samsung is to provide its arch nemesis Apple with screens for its next-gen iPads.

Industry insiders told ETnews that Samsung Display will supply Apple with 7.9 inch retina display screens with a 2048x1536 resolution and a 9.7-inch narrow retina display in the second half of the year.

The smaller displays, meant for the iPad Mini 2, will be supplied to Apple from the third quarter, with the bigger displays designed for the fifth iPad to be supplied in the final quarter of the year.

It had been suggested that Apple would find another provider for its screens as its war with Samsung for consumers and business users in the smartphone and tablet markets intensifies.

The report claims that since the new iPad was released, Samsung had been sidelined from Apple's new development projects because of the constant legal disputes and Apple CEO Tim Cook's decision to reshuffle the Cupertino-based firm's supply chain.

However, after problems with Japanese firm Sharp and Taiwanese firm AUO, Apple's relationship with Samsung has become more amicable, and although LG Display is to continue to remain Apple's first port of call, Samsung is expected to play a more prominent role in Apple's future products, which could lead to LG and Samsung competing more fiercely in the future.