iPhone 6 screens rumored to be back in production after rumored setback

August 24, 2014

Suppliers have supposedly re-established the production of iPhone 6 screens after a supposed minor setback. Production of components has been ramping up for the imminent launch, but display suppliers are reportedly working to make up for lost time caused by the backlight being revised by Apple. That's all according to Reuters:

Two supply chain sources said display panel production suffered a setback after the backlight that helps illuminate the screen had to be revised, putting screen assembly on hold for part of June and July. One said Apple, aiming for the thinnest phone possible, initially wanted to cut back to a single layer of backlight film, instead of the standard two layers, for the 4.7-inch screen, which went into mass production ahead of the 5.5-inch version.

But the new configuration was not bright enough and the backlight was sent back to the drawing board to fit in the extra layer, costing precious time and temporarily idling some screen assembly operations, the source said.

Companies making the screens include Japan Display, LG Display and Sharp, and they're now working "flat out" to make up for lost time.

It's not uncommon for Apple to hold tough demands and requirements on suppliers for its products as it competes with other tech companies with thinner, lighter and more advanced components. It's also not uncommon for mainstream publications to get stories like this entirely wrong.

Similar stories surface every year and yet, every year so far, Apple has gotten the iPhone out right on time. We'll have to see what happens this year when the iPhone 6 is announced. That announcement is widely expected to be made at an iPhone event on September 9.

How important is the thinness of the next iPhone to you? Does it need to be the thinnest in the world again?

Source: Reuters