A report from Digitimes says that the volume of high resolution panels produced for iPad 3 is going to exceed that of iPad 2 in the second quarter of this year. Reportedly, Sharp, LG Display and Samsung have been contracted to manufacture 9.7 inch QXGA displays for iPad 3 . It is being said that the next generation iPad will come loaded with a display that has double the resolution of iPad 2.

According to Digitimes, lesser than 1 million panels for iPad 3 were shipped in the last quarter of 2011, but the production will surpass iPad 2 panel production in Q2 of this year. Nearly six to seven million iPad 3 high resolution display panels are expected to be shipped in the first quarter, and this number will elevate to ten million by the end of second quarter.

Additionally, Apple was making around sixteen million iPad 2 display screens in Q3 2011, which was beaten down to ten million in Q4 2011. In Q1 2012, Apple will be producing seven to eight million iPad 2 display units only. Broadly, in 2011, the company received 48 million display units for iPad 2, while this year, it is expecting 25 million units only. Sources of Digitimes also added that around 40 million iPad 3 high resolution display screen will be shipped this year!

Thus, the volume of display panels for iPad 3 shipped in the second quarter will be greater than that manufactured for iPad 2. Besides, one thing becomes sure (if Digitimes’ reports are accurate) that iPad 2 will co-exist with iPad 3, at least for some time!