Andre Yoskowitz
18 Mar 2012 16:37
According to research firm IHS iSuppli, Apple is making less money per iPad 3 sold than they did on the corresponding iPad 2 models, for the most part.
The new tablet just went on sale on Friday in the U.S. and 9 other nations, where base models start at $500 just like in previous generations.
For example, the new 32GB LTE third generation iPad, which costs $729, costs Apple $375.10 to produce, including the bill of materials and manufacturing costs. The smaller capacity 16GB LTE version has an assembly cost of $358.30, while the largest 64GB LTE model has an assembly cost of $408.70.
Non-LTE versions, those that only include Wi-Fi capability, cost $316 for 16GB model, the 32GB model comes in at $333, and the 64GB version comes in at $366 total assembly costs.
As expected, the Retina Display and touchscreen are the most expensive component, at $137. The flash memory costs $16.80 (16GB), $33.60 (32GB), or $67.20 (64GB) and the ARM-based A5X processor comes in at $23. The new battery costs $42. The new-and-improved camera costs $12.35 while the WLAN/BT/FM module costs $15.
Electro-mechanical and mechanical parts cost Apple $50.50 and the BB/RF/PA module costs $ 41.50 rounding out the most expensive components.