MacRumors has been able to confirm that the next generation iPad 3 indeed will have a 2048×1536 Retina Display. They were able to obtain a leaked iPad 3 display and examined it under a microscope to see if it was the real deal.

Physically, the iPad 3 display is the same size (9.7″) as the previous iPad 1 and iPad 2 displays, but under a microcope the difference becomes clear.

Since we only had a raw iPad 3 display with no method to power it, taking high quality photos of the pixels was difficult. Still, even with the relatively poor lighting, you can easily make out the pixels on each display (made up of red, green and blue elements). We highlighted a cluster of 4 pixels (2×2) from the iPad 2 to compare it to the same area on the iPad 3. On the iPad 3, the same cluster was occupied by 16 pixels (4×4) — exactly twice the resolution in each direction.

Extrapolating out, the iPad 3 screen should carry a full resolution of 2048×1536, exactly twice the linear resolution of the iPad 1 and iPad 2 which is 1024×768. Such a screen should be able to display much sharper images as compared to the previous generation iPads.

Remember the difference when you first saw an iPhone retina screen? Imagine that, but on an iPad! This display is going to easily be the sharpest looking tablet to date. Only a few more weeks until we get to see it!

[via macrumors]