Apple is currently adjusting shipment estimates for its iPad and iPad mini products in 2013 to 33 million and 55 million, respectively, according to industry sources.
Originally Apple had predicted shipments for its 9.7-inch iPads to reach approximately 60 million units and the iPad mini 40 million units. Not only has Apple dropped its overall expected shipments for the two devices, but it also expects the iPad mini to sell substantially better during the year, said the sources.
The adjustment by Apple is also likely to affect its supply chains. Panel providers for the iPad such as LG Display and backlighting unit (BLU) providers such as Radiant Opto-Electronics are expected to take a hit in shipments and possibly revenues, while iPad mini panel suppliers such as AU Optronics (AUO) and affiliated BLU providers such as Coretronic are expected to see the opposite during 2013, added the sources.
AUO has already seen an increase in tablet panel shipments from less than one million a month to about 1.7 million a month largely as a result of entering Apple's iPad mini supply chain, and Coretronic is expected to its shipments of BLUs used in tablet products, noted the sources.
The sources also said LG Display meanwhile is expected to soon bump up its tablet panel shipments to six million units after dropping to five million units in January 2013.

Apple's iPad and iPad mini shipment adjustments likely to affect its supply chain performances in 2013
Photo: Michael Lee, Digitimes, March 2013




