It seems like yesterday when the iPhone 4S was launched, and we already find ourselves in the first week of August fighting our way through the daily speculation about when Apple will finally announce and launch their sixth iteration of the insanely popular iPhone. For the better part of this year, it has been widely speculated that the new device will follow last year’s release schedule and make its way into our lives at some point in October, but recent speculation has been intensifying about a possible media event on September 12th which will introduce us to the new iPhone, an iPad Mini and a couple of new iPods. The jury is still out on that one.
Focusing on the iPhone, Sharp has announced that they will play their part in the supply chain by starting the process of shipping displays intended for the use in the new iPhone at some point during this month. Takashi Okuda, who is the new president of Sharp Corporation, took a brief moment away from discussing his company’s quarter year earnings to announce that "shipments will start in August". The particular date in August was never discussed and doesn’t really bring us any closer to a definite answer on the possible release date, but if displays don’t ship until the end of this month it would seem unlikely, but not impossible, that we would be in for a mid September introduction.
If the new iPhone isn’t ready for September 12th, it still leaves us anticipating for what Apple will announce during that media event. Although, with that said, Sharp is only one of three companies that have deals with Apple to manufacture and supply display panels for use in the iPhone. LG Display and Japan Display Inc. have also penned deals to ensure that their wares get worldwide usage thanks to the mass distribution and popularity of Apple’s industry leading smartphone. Although the new iPhone is likely to keep the same basic form factor, it is widely expect to have a larger display, with some reports suggesting that it will measure 4-inches diagonally.
In addition to the increased vertical length of the new device and the rumored smaller dock connection, Apple is building the new iPhone with in-cell panels which removes the need for a touchable layer on the display, therefore resulting in a thinner and more lightweight unit. Regardless of when we are actually introduced with the new iPhone, it’s undeniably good news to know the supply chains are working and things are progressing nicely.
(via Reuters)
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