Apple is said to have begun diversifying its Apple Watch supply chain, bringing Samsung into the fold for its low-power OLED panels, and potentially paving the way for a next-generation iPhone with an OLED panel, according to a new supply chain rumor.
A set of rumors out of the Far East on Sunday claims Apple is well into the prototyping phase of its next-generation handset, with current test models incorporating a waterproof design that could be applied to a non-metal frame.
Taiwan's TSMC is set to become the exclusive manufacturer of an Apple "A10" processor for next-generation iPhones, cutting Samsung out of the loop, according to a new rumor.
While all eyes are on this week's "iPhone 6s" unveiling, Apple's 2016 iPhone upgrade is already in the works, with the company said to be aiming to make the device as thin as 6 millimeters, which would be even thinner than the latest iPod touch and iPad Air 2.
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.
Security technology firm Sonavation on Tuesday announced a technology allowing ultrasonic fingerprint sensors to be embedded under Corning Gorilla Glass, potentially paving the way for anticipated iPhone designs without home buttons.
Apple is indeed working on a radical iPhone redesign that will ditch the home button, AppleInsider has learned, but consumers shouldn't expect to see such a drastic change to the company's handset within the next few years.
Supplier AU Optronics has secured a deal to produce screens for a future 4-inch iPhone, which may be in the works to ship in 2016, a report said.
Apple may name this year's iPhone upgrade the "iPhone 7," instead of the "iPhone 6s," because the addition of Force Touch input will represent such a significant change to the user interface, according to one well-connected insider.
Despite finally jumping into the OLED market with the Apple Watch, Apple is not expected to migrate its handset line away from LCD technology in the near future, instead choosing to stick with LTPS-based LCD panels when it debuts its so-called "iPhone 7."
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Neil Hughes
AppleInsider Staff
Roger Fingas
