We’ve already amassed a pretty compelling pile of evidence regarding the iPhone 6, and even though Apple looks set to improve almost every aspect of the device’s internal and external hardware, it’ll still apparently be thinner than the current iPhone 5s. In fact, from what we’ve been hearing, the handset will be the slimmest that Apple has ever released, but while the company is said to be incorporating a new type of backlight system to facilitate this svelte form factor, it may apparently cause yield issues.
As per a report from China Times, Apple might only opt for a single brightness enhancement film, or BEF, in the iPhone 6’s LCD. For the benefit of those who’ve never heard of BEF, these are applied to a display in order to enhance readability, and while the iPhone 5s contains two, the decision to remove one from the iPhone 6 will naturally save a little space. But because Apple is only opting for one, it will, in turn, have to improve the quality of that single layer of film, and considering that the new BEF film will need to be manufactured for each iPhone 6 made, it’s likely that yield issues will arise.
This means, of course, that Apple may struggle to produce enough units to cope with that initial demand, and although this is a problem that the company regularly faces due to the initial hype surrounding the launch, it’s also an issue that Apple very much wanted to avoid.
In an effort to try and meet the demand, Apple is said to have outlined two new suppliers to take the pressure off Minebea, its main supplier of BEFs. With OMRON and Radiant having apparently been task with this role in helping to streamline the process, it is hoped that this key display element will be primed and ready to roll without hindering manufacturing, but it remains to be seen whether Apple can pull everything together.
Apple is now said to be on the brink of manufacturing the iPhone 6, with mass production imminent. The company is apparently preparing two models – a 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch variant – and while the former should be ready for around September, the latter may be subject to delays as various display and battery-related snags are dealt with.
(Source: ChinaTimes [Google Translate])
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