Rumor: Poor fingerprint sensor, LCD driver yields to impact 'iPhone 5S' shipments
A report out of the Far East on Tuesday claims the first batch of Apple's next-generation iPhone could be smaller than expected, thanks to poor yield rates for the handset's much rumored fingerprint sensor, as well as LCD driver chips.
The report comes from the hit-or-miss DigiTimes, which cited industry insiders as saying yield issues have caused volume production of "fingerprint-recognition" and LCD driver components for the so-called "iPhone 5S" to be pushed to the end of July. To make the scheduled September launch, manufacture of the parts should have started by the end of June or early July, the sources said.
According to the publication, the next-gen iPhone will use fingerprint sensors designed by AuthenTec, the biometric security firm Apple purchased for $356 million in 2012. The unnamed sources claim Apple contracted production of the chips to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), while Xintec will handle wafer-level packaging.
A possible TSMC and Xintec collaboration was first mentioned in April by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a reliable track record in predicting Apple's movements,
No information was given regarding the purported LCD driver problems, though Apple is widely expected to carry over the same 4-inch display from the current iPhone 5.
With the reported yield rate trouble, the publication said insiders estimate around three million iPhone 5S units will be delayed into the fourth quarter.
The report comes from the hit-or-miss DigiTimes, which cited industry insiders as saying yield issues have caused volume production of "fingerprint-recognition" and LCD driver components for the so-called "iPhone 5S" to be pushed to the end of July. To make the scheduled September launch, manufacture of the parts should have started by the end of June or early July, the sources said.
According to the publication, the next-gen iPhone will use fingerprint sensors designed by AuthenTec, the biometric security firm Apple purchased for $356 million in 2012. The unnamed sources claim Apple contracted production of the chips to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), while Xintec will handle wafer-level packaging.
A possible TSMC and Xintec collaboration was first mentioned in April by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a reliable track record in predicting Apple's movements,
No information was given regarding the purported LCD driver problems, though Apple is widely expected to carry over the same 4-inch display from the current iPhone 5.
With the reported yield rate trouble, the publication said insiders estimate around three million iPhone 5S units will be delayed into the fourth quarter.
Comments
Compounded by reports from unnamed sources
Quote:
Originally Posted by 65C816
The other speculation said IGZO screen - anyone know how much power savings that would translate to?
I think it is 50% less power consumption with the Sharp IGZO screen.
Me too !
I not concern with story.
I also not concern with your post.
Only thing interesting here may be that there are some yield issues on the fingerprint sensor. That means we may finally see it in a phone. Of course you have to believe digititimes which is not something I will do. I am fine waiting and seeing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Wild
I not concern with the iPhone 5S or even the 6! Purchase another state of the art phone in the mean time. Why is Samsung and HTC not having troubles like Apple has. Been a loyal Apple buyer but no longer! They seem to be loosing ground!
What is the purpose of you proclaiming that you will not buy an iPhone? Who cares? You don't get enough attention at home and feel the need to say what you will and will not do? Are you lonely?
When new technology is implemented, troubles are expected and accounted for. Especially by Apple. This is just pure speculation about something indefinable.
Reeks of bullshit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Wild
I not concern with the iPhone 5S or even the 6! Purchase another state of the art phone in the mean time. Why is Samsung and HTC not having troubles like Apple has. Been a loyal Apple buyer but no longer! They seem to be loosing ground!
I not comment on your state-of-the-art plastic purchase, but let me tell you why your korean idols not have problems with that: nobody cares. They have all the time they need, because whatever they come up with, nobody really expect it will reliably work. They not care.
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex101
So, would the fingerpringt sensor be integrated into the home button?
Most likely. I use fingerprint sensors often and the most logical place is near the keypad or the one button where the integration saves space.
Here's another Apple story that is breaking today, and dare I say that it is far more news worthy and fun to talk about than this Digitimes garbage!
Man sues Apple for his porn addiction and for breaking up his marriage!
http://www.ibtimes.com/apple-sued-porn-addiction-man-says-macbook-cost-his-marriage-kids-1345831#
Jeez, is there anything in the world that Apple is not responsible for? :smokey:
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
- Mario Andretti
Apple rumors are easy:
November: Apple looking into holographic display company.
January: iPhone to get holographic keyboard & display.
March: Apple reportedly buying holographic camera modules, likely for next iPhone.
May: Apple to release new iPhone in late July.
July: Faulty holographic camera modules forcing Apple to push iPhone release to fall.
September: iPhone is released! (No holographic tech...)
November: Apple looking into laser warfare company.
...
[CODE]rumored_features.each( function(feat) {
if( feat.is_new() and feat.is_hardware()) {
cout << "Rumor: delays due to low yield issues</br>";
++delay;
}
cout << "Volume production delayed " << 2 * delays << " weeks</br>";
});[/CODE]