Reuters: Production of 'iPhone 6' screens to begin in May, 5.5" model delayed
Apple is preparing to ramp up production of displays bound for next-generation iPhones which, according to Reuters, will launch this fall in 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch varieties.
Citing supply chain sources, Reuters on Tuesday reported that Apple partner display manufacturer Japan Display will be first to start mass production of 4.7-inch panels bound for the so-called "iPhone 6" as early as May, with Sharp and LG Display to follow in June. Current iPhone 5s and 5c models sport a 4-inch display.
A second, larger 5.5-inch version is also on the way, but difficulties with in-cell manufacturing methods have delayed a ramp to mass production. An initial kick-off date is unknown, but suppliers are expected to begin manufacturing the large phablet-size screen "several months" after the 4.7-inch version. To push production forward, Apple could initially fall back on older thin film technology for the 5.5-inch display, then switch to in-cell at a later date, sources said.
According to the publication both new iPhone models were slated to use in-cell touchscreens, a technology that slims down the overall thickness of a device's touch panel by incorporating capacitive touch sensors into the LCD array. Apple first employed the tech in 2012 with the iPhone 5.
The latest rumors run counter to a report from Japanese financial publication Nikkei, which last week said Apple was already producing 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays to be used in the next iPhone. While the publications disagree on a manufacturing start date, they agree on screen sizes and suppliers.
Along with the reported bump in screen size, rumors surrounding Apple's next flagship handset abound. The most recent speculation ranges from the inclusion of sapphire displays to a new 10-megapixel f/1.8 camera module with interchangeable lenses.
Citing supply chain sources, Reuters on Tuesday reported that Apple partner display manufacturer Japan Display will be first to start mass production of 4.7-inch panels bound for the so-called "iPhone 6" as early as May, with Sharp and LG Display to follow in June. Current iPhone 5s and 5c models sport a 4-inch display.
A second, larger 5.5-inch version is also on the way, but difficulties with in-cell manufacturing methods have delayed a ramp to mass production. An initial kick-off date is unknown, but suppliers are expected to begin manufacturing the large phablet-size screen "several months" after the 4.7-inch version. To push production forward, Apple could initially fall back on older thin film technology for the 5.5-inch display, then switch to in-cell at a later date, sources said.
According to the publication both new iPhone models were slated to use in-cell touchscreens, a technology that slims down the overall thickness of a device's touch panel by incorporating capacitive touch sensors into the LCD array. Apple first employed the tech in 2012 with the iPhone 5.
The latest rumors run counter to a report from Japanese financial publication Nikkei, which last week said Apple was already producing 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays to be used in the next iPhone. While the publications disagree on a manufacturing start date, they agree on screen sizes and suppliers.
Along with the reported bump in screen size, rumors surrounding Apple's next flagship handset abound. The most recent speculation ranges from the inclusion of sapphire displays to a new 10-megapixel f/1.8 camera module with interchangeable lenses.
Comments
I can't wait to finally watch movies, read, prepare documents etc on my iPhone. It's been a long time coming...if this rumor is true. I might just end up getting both sizes.
Yeah, that and maybe releasing the new product in more countries on the release date. It seem Apple is hitting more countries about the same date with each new release. I'm thinking this will not just be an incremental advancement... the 64-bit chip will be put to task, leaving Samscum panting to claim, "me too."
I don't know man. For me I get frustrated when I can't use my iPhone 5 with one hand. Usually that's when waking up or going to sleep. But I like the sleekness of this size device. I just can't see myself wanting something that's as big as even 4.7 inches let alone 5.5 inches. I'm definitely not getting the 5.5 inch one if one comes out but the 4.7 inch one if that's the only new one available in a moderately small size then I'll probably get that one.
I have a phone with a 4.7" screen and have no problems operating it with one hand when I need to. 4.7" is the perfect size for my hands (YMMV).
This type of sterile conjecture is going beyond anything that should be considered legal, and I firmly hope Tim Cook starts going after these vermin.
Hasn't anyone here found it ironic, that this "report" comes out on the same day that Apple has announced the date for their next quarterly report call?
You mean April Fool's Day? What could possibly be fishy about an iPhone phablet announcement on April Fool's Day...
May be that is what Tim Cook was referring to as new product Category. When our usage of iPhone isn't very much a phone at all. It is more like a Gaming / Internet / Muti Media Devices more then anything.
Here's my guess:
iPhone mini = 3.5", taking design clues from the iPhone 5C
iPhone = 4.7" replacing the 4", the idea is to differentiate the bigger iPhone from the original size.
iPod (Touch) = 5.5" , targeted to gamers. Definitely not a phone anymore.
2) And that 5.5" screen could be for an iWatch from Samsung.
im ok with this. An iOS device capable of phone calls with a 5.5" display and a bunch of upgrades over my 4S... yes please!
The iPhone with bigger screen will be an ultra compact ultra thin, light phone with as thin bezel as possible to hit a perfect balance of big screen and form factor.
If this iPhone will be able to make people of smaller screened iPhones upgrade and (more importantly) at the same time convince phone users who want over 4" display to buy iPhone, even convincing some of the over 5" users to upgrade (like people who upgrade from iPad to iPad mini) sales will be so high that Apple doesn't need to make a crippled clumsy phone/tiny tablet type of device and so they will not release the even bigger iPhone.
If the sales will be lowered by number of people waiting for an even larger iPhone Apple will make one later ! Pretty simple and great strategy.
I personally think that the 1 scenario will happen, because I think that most small tablet users use these because of specs (bigger phone=better specs, lots of people is fooled by paper specs so they buy the biggest phone with "best specs") and if you can offer them a lot smaller phone with not so much smaller display and over the top specs you won them over to your side... But Apple never offered great specs by measures of other companies.