Apple’s Next Generation of iPhone to Use In-Cell Display Technology
We have yet another rumor regarding Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) next generation of iPhone which is unofficially dubbed as “iPhone 5″. This time the report is from the Wall Street Journal, which seems to be pretty well-informed about the next iPhone. According to WSJ, the Cupertino based company will be utilizing new display technology to manufacture iPhone 5′s screen.
We’ve already heard rumors that the next iPhone’s screen will be at least 4-inches, but that’s not all. According to WSJ, Apple is going to use in-cell touch display technology which may also reduce the thickness of the device.
The technology integrates touch sensors into the LCD, making it unnecessary to have a separate touch-screen layer. The absence of the layer, usually about half-a-millimeter thick, not only makes the whole screen thinner, but improves the quality of displayed images, said DisplaySearch analyst Hiroshi Hayase.
The screen is said to have been produced by LG, Sharp and Japan Display (which combines Hitachi, Sony and Toshiba). The device is already in the mass production stage and it is set to be launched this fall.
We have already seen leaked images of the front panel of the iPhone 5, which indicates this device will come with a bigger screen and a centered front-facing camera. This repositioned camera won’t make any difference from a usage point of view but it definitely adds to the aesthetics of the device.
The existing iPhone 4S features a screen that is made out of LCD, capacitive sensors and glass. This new in-cell display technology will eliminate the entire touch-screen layer. This also means reduction in overall thickness of the device and improved quality of displayed images.
With this step, it seems that Apple is simplifying the supply chain and also cutting costs as the company would not need to buy touch panels and LCD panels from separate suppliers.
As we know that iPhone 4 and 4S already come with a beautiful Retina display, with a DPI count that no rivals can offer. If Apple can further improve this Retina display, it would be a huge bonus for the company, after all, who doesn’t love a sharp, crisp, clear and bigger display?
