Report: iPad 3 batteries to be thinner, lighter, but more expensive

The battery modules in Apple Inc.'s upcoming iPad 3 may be thinner and lighter — but also cost 20 to 30 percent more — than their present counterparts. A report on Taiwan Economic News disclosed this as it forecast "surefire" profits for Simplo Technology Co. and Dynapack International Technology corp. Simplo and Dynapack are both contract suppliers for Apple Inc.’s iPad and Macbook, the report said. The report also cited institutional investors who said the battery pack for iPad 3 has been redesigned to be thinner and lighter, and with a longer service life than that of the iPad 2. Also, it will meet the CTIA IEEE 1625 standard for better quality and safety reliability. It is reportedly scheduled to be massively produced in the first quarter of 2012. "Therefore, iPad 3 battery module will call for advanced technologies, selling for a higher price to benefit Simplo and Dynapack for sure, especially when the two companies have had their battery packs pass the IEEE 1625 test as the only two battery makers in Taiwan for the moment," Taiwan Economic News said. On the other hand, the report said institutional investors predicted Simplo and Dynapack will see sales revenues for the third quarter of 2011 surge 10 to 15 percent compared to the second quarter. But both companies are expected to record new highs once they start delivering iPad 3 battery packs starting in the fourth quarter, it added. A separate report on tech site Mashable said it remains unclear how the 20 to 30-percent markup in battery price will reflect on the iPad 3 itself. "The new batteries will make the iPad thinner and lighter and extend its battery life, but they will also come at a 20-30% bigger price point because of the advanced technology used. Hopefully this will not mean a bigger price for the end product as well," it said. — RSJ, GMA News