Roger Fingas
Apple is reportedly testing the notion of reverting to G/G (glass-to-glass) touch panels for 2016 iPhone models, out of alleged frustration with obstacles presented by the in-cell technology the company has been using in recent years.
Panel suppliers have started sending fully-laminated G/G samples, and glassmakers Corning and Asahi Glass have sent samples of their own, DigiTimes said on Wednesday. Apple is allegedly sticking with the in-cell format for its 2015 iPhones, which should be announced at the company's Sept. 9 event.
Although in-cell technology allows for thinner displays, it's also allegedly creating production bottlenecks for Apple that are impeding new features and higher resolutions. The iPhone 6 Plus sports a 1920x1080-resolution display, but some competing smartphones are already at quad HD resolution (2560x1440), and the future may be 4K.
DigiTimes has a mixed track record with Apple product details but is typically more reliable when talking about its focus, the Asian supply industry.
The publication claims that Apple's hope is a slimmed-down version of G/G could replace in-cell panels without adding bulk. It could also potentially enable bezel-free phones, since in-cell panels reportedly have problems with sensitivity around their edges.
Any 2016 iPhones would likely still be in early development stages, with core features unsettled.
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55 Comments
Digitimes is moving up in the world of rumor mongering. They're now "more reliable" :lol:
I'm glad I'm on the S cycle, but I'm going to see if i can skip the 6 altogether. Such an ugly and huge for it's screen size device. I was at Verizon with a friend yesterday and the Samsung and most other phones looked better, even the 5C
I don't buy this last minute rumor sharting from these jokers.
1080, 1440, 4K... Why do we need such high resolutions in a screen no larger than the palm of your hand? The majority of eyes can't even resolve this level of detail. We're already practically at the point where a magnifying glass is required to appreciate any increase in resolution as it is.
New phone owner to friend: "Check out the screen on THIS new baby!" *hands phone and magnifying glass to friend*
[quote name="zroger73" url="/t/187980/rumor-apple-considering-going-back-to-glass-to-glass-touch-panels-for-2016-iphones#post_2769445"]1080, 1440, 4K... Why do we need such high resolutions in a screen no larger than the palm of your hand? The majority of eyes can't even resolve this level of detail. We're already practically at the point where a magnifying glass is required to appreciate any increase in resolution as it is. New phone owner to friend: "Check out the screen on THIS new baby!" *hands phone and magnifying glass to friend* [/quote] Pretty much. The current 6 screen is so small the resolution is already excessive. If Apple's now firmly in the spec chasing game then that's another strike.