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.
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
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.