iPad mini Could Run Games for 24 Hours on Single Charge With IGZO Technology
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Earlier today, we told you about Sharp’s recent announcement that it officially has 7, 10 and 13-inch display screens and the possibility that the iPad mini would be using such IGZO technology, as well as the 10-inch iPad and 13-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro that may or may not be announced at Apple’s upcoming event on Oct. 23.
A short time ago, Cult of Mac dumbed down the whole IGZO situation and gave some ideas of what it could mean for battery life in future tablets.
Sharp announced the upcoming release of a 7-inch tablet that will include IGZO display screens, which the company claims improves battery life by more than twice the length of traditional LCD screens. Before the third-generation iPad launched, it was rumored that Sharp was contracted to produce IGZO screens, but failed to meet Apple’s standards. Now that Sharp has a handle on the technology, Apple would be stupid not to use their display screens.
According to Cult of Mac, Sharp’s IGZO technology would improve the iPad’s battery performance significantly. Here is how:
Based on Cult of Mac’s description, the iPad’s display pixels are connected with wires that act like mesh. The more pixels, the thicker the mesh. The screen needs to be lit from behind in order for us to see the beautiful graphics. The thicker the mesh, the brighter the light needs to be in order for it to shine through. In order to have a light that is bright enough, the iPad has to use a powerful battery that takes up a lot of space and weight. It also has to work a lot harder to keep things glowing.
Sharp’s IGZO technology is less meshy. Imagine the difference between opaque tights and fishnet stockings. Men, imagine the difference between a window screen and a security screen. The IGZO display would allow much more light to get through, requiring less battery power to run.
Sharp’s announcement regarding the company’s upcoming 7-inch tablet mentions a 2040mAh battery that could play video for more than 12 hours on a single charge. Based on this information, Cult of Mac points out that the iPad mini battery is rumored to be 4490mAH (more than twice as big). Follow the logical process and you’ll come to the same conclusion, which is that if the iPad mini were using Sharp’s IGZO display technology, it could potentially run for up to 24 hours without needing a charge. That is, you could play an Asphalt 7 marathon while camping in the mountains and not worry about killing your battery.
Sharp may not have perfected the IGZO technology in time for it to be used in the iPad mini’s display screen. However, it is just a matter of time before Apple begins incorporating it into its future devices.
