The third generation iPad’s high resolution ‘Retina’ display is one of the best screens on the market (depending who you ask). That said, we’ve heard in the past that Apple made compromises to get that stunning display to work. For example, the third generation iPad uses about twice as many LEDs as the iPad 2 and has a larger battery to compensate. While this ultimately produced a functioning tablet, it did mean that Apple had to release a tablet that wasn’t “the thinnest and lightest iPad ever.”

For what it’s worth, that may change next generation. Digitimes, the newspaper that covers China’s electronics industries, reported that Apple’s suppliers are preparing for the next generation iPad to be released in mid-2013. Supposedly “the number of LED chips used in backlighting [is] expected to be reduced from the 84 used in New iPad, according to sources with Taiwan-based supply chain makers.”

The article also mentions adjustments to the current iPad, which we’ve heard rumors of (to introduce Lighting compatibility), though the changes “may not be introduced until the first quarter of 2013.” If this is true, then it’s unlikely we’ll see a revised iPad 3 at next week’s Keynote, though we may see an iPad Mini.

The reduced backlights will probably have other benefits, such as a lower cost and less power consumption, but less backlights would allow a slimmer iPad. (Maybe they can cut down on some of that glare too.) Would you be more likely to buy a thinner, fully-featured iPad, or are you waiting for the iPad Mini? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.