Apple iPad 3 production begins ahead of Q1 2012 release

The Apple iPad 3 has entered production ahead of the its release in Q1 2012, industry analyst Jeff Fidacaro is claiming.

Speaking to AllThingsD, the Susquehanna Financial analyst let-slip that third-gen iPad device has entered production in China, with Apple ramping up its Q4 iPad builds to between 12 and 14 million – from between 11 million and 13 million.

“Since our last month supply chain checks we are now seeing 600,000 to one million iPad 3 builds showing up on the plan for the fourth quarter of calendar 2011, ” said Fidacaro. “Our previous estimate did not include any iPad 3s.”

So, what can we expect from the so-called iPad 3? Many are expecting Apple‘s next-gen tablet to sport a revamped form-factor, housing a 9.7-inch (2048 x 1536) Retina Display. There’s also whispers of a dual-core A6 processor, and it’ll no doubt land running iOS 5.

The slate’s official release date is still to be confirmed, although it’s expected to hit shelves in March 2012.