AppleInsider Staff
Coming on the heels of a separate iWatch report, sources from the Far East on Wednesday claim Apple has taken receipt of flexible PCB sample boards bound for the much rumored device that could be revealed as soon as September.
Citing the usual industry sources, DigiTimes reports Zhen Ding Technology, Flexium Interconnect, Holding and Career Technology have each delivered FPCB proofs to Apple for validation before going into production. The people claim Apple will unveil the so-called "iWatch" in September.
According to the publication, the three circuit board makers are apportioning funds for a build-out of current manufacturing facilities to handle an expectedly high number of orders from Apple. Mass production will supposedly ramp up to a release date in September and throughout 2014.
Zhen Ding, reportedly Apple's largest existing FPCB supplier, plans to invest more than $100 million to boost production capacity for the iWatch, large-screen iPhones and iPads. Flexium is said to be spending between around $50 to $66 million for a ramp-up of mid- and high-end FPCB products, while Career will inject roughly $33 million on its facility expansion.
Wednesday's rumor is line with a questionable report from China's Economic Daily News, which on Tuesday said Quanta Computer won an exclusive contract to build the iWatch ahead of its release in the third quarter. The device will supposedly boast custom-made chips and a sapphire glass screen.
With the iWatch rumor mill churning at full speed, another report claimed Apple's smartwatch may include a UV light exposure sensor capable that could be used to warn wearers of impending sunburns.
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
Oliver Haslam
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
19 Comments
The shipping cost has to be really low. Circuit Boards. Carbon Footprint is good.
Jun WWDC ?
[quote name="comley" url="/t/177850/rumor-apple-takes-delivery-of-iwatch-circuit-boards-ahead-of-september-debut#post_2512805"]Jun WWDC ?[/quote] That is what I was thinking. Vendors would not know the launch (keynote date). They would know FCS (first customer shipment) because production volumes are required as well as a pre-FCS ramp up of volume. Anyway, it makes more sense to launch early for SDK availability as well of having a launch before production part leaks start.
All these rumours hopefully it be a real products something I didn't know I needed but now do ! This may be a very costly year for me just bought my new Mac Pro and looking to buy a new iPhone . So might have to sell a few possessions and I suppose overtime at work
Flexium is said to be spending between around $50 to $66 million for a ramp-up of mid- and high-end FPCB products, while Career will inject roughly $33 million on its facility expansion.
Only makes sense because even if Apple doesn't go to these suppliers, the Samsungs of the industry will surely be ordering their iClone components from them.