Apple spent 11 Billion Dollars on Samsung Parts to release 7.85-inch iPad Mini in 2012

Apple is in hot war over intellectual rights with Samsung but its dependance on the Korean hardware giant production is just going to grow in 2012. While in 2011 Apple spent nearly $7.8 billion on Samsung-made parts but in 2012, this number will grow further to $11 billion.

"The amount of the current contract is around $9.7 billion, butis expected to rise to $11 billion by the end of this year as Apple is planning to release a smaller iPad, probably with a 7.85-inch screen, and to sell more of its MacBook Air PCs using Samsung faster solid state drive storage," said Samsung executive told The Korea Times speaking on the condition of confidentiality.

Now, while the focus of the executive message the fact that Apple will spend more on Samsung parts, having a confirmation of the real possibility for a 7.85-inch iPad (iPad mini) from a Samsung official is probably even bigger news.