Apple’s potential third-generation tablet, the iPad 3, will not be launched this year due to display problems, if emerging reports are to be believed.

According to Taiwan's DigiTimes, Apple has ditched its plans to release the iPad 3 tablet in the second half of 2011, partly because display supplier Sharp can not supply adequate high-resolution LCD screens.

DigiTimes claims that the display for the iPad 3 would be a 9.7-inch panel with a resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, which will offer something like the so-called "retina display" on the existing iPhone.

The DigiTimes report states, "Due to iPad 3's requirements over the physical thinness, rich color support and toughness will all conflict with the panel's technology restrictions; therefore, this could cause a delay in the launch."

Apple's other suppliers, LG Display and Samsung, are also incapable of reaching a good yield.

However, DigiTimes adds that supply of the iPad 2 will be maintained at 28-30 million units during the second half of 2011.

Apple’s iPad is still enjoying the leading position in the worldwide tablet market as no rival tablet could so far manage to match the popularity of the iPad.