Next iPhone to Have Thinner, Higher Quality Screen

[MacRumors]

The Wall Street Journal reports that the next generation iPhone will use "in-cell" technology to make the screen thinner. In fact, they claim that mass production of the screens has already started.

Japanese liquid-crystal-display makers Sharp Corp. and Japan Display Inc.--a new company that combined three Japanese electronics makers' display units--as well as South Korea's LG Display Co. are currently mass producing panels for the next iPhone using so-called in-cell technology, the people said.

The technology integrates touch sensors into the LCD thereby removing an separate component layer just for the touch-screen. Aside from reduced thickness, it would also improve the image quality. The Wall Street Journal also claims it will help reduce Apple's costs by eliminating separate suppliers for each component.

Reports of Apple's interest in "in-cell" technology is not new with the first reports back in April. KGI Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo took a detailed look at the technology and suggested that the new iPhone could be at least 1.4mm slimmer than the iPhone 4S.

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While part of the thickness savings would come from the in-cell technology, Apple could also reduce the thickness of the battery and use a thinner metal back casing.

The next generation iPhone is widely expected to be launched this fall.

Article Link: Next iPhone to Have Thinner, Higher Quality Screen

 

[Macman45]

I hope they don't use metal for the back....I've grown used to the glass, but I suppose it would make for a more robust device....The only thing that will prevent me from doing my usual upgrade on release day is the screen..If Apple do not substantially increase the size, then I see little point in buying a replacement for my 4S which will happily run IOS6 anyway. The images look fine, and the thickness although not that much of an issue for me, anything that increases the quality of the device is a good thing. But, no screen hike=no upgrade.

 

[fatboyslick]

some space will be made by being a little longer too, plus the use of new smaller SIM Cards

 

[JoEw]

I really hope the battery doesn't get smaller over making it "thinner". The iPhone is already thin, I just want improvement to battery life.

 

[Reeebo]

Metal for the back would be soo much better than glass.

 

[ahireasu]

So instead of using the extra space for an even bigger battery, apple goes for the "more thin" than the previous model crap, the classic apple way.

 

[goobot]

I really hope the battery doesn't get smaller over making it "thinner". The iPhone is already thin, I just want improvement to battery life.

They probably will just flatten it out since the next iPhone will also be taller.

 

[gaximus]

I don't care if they make it thicker. I just want a slightly bigger screen with the same ratio. I don't want to have to re program any if my apps.

 

[Confuzzzed]

Longer and thinner. Usually not a winning combination is some circles

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Just give us the phone Apple.

Uncle Ruckus no relations

 

[RocketRed]

My body is ready.

 

[Nozuka]

I really hope the battery doesn't get smaller over making it "thinner". The iPhone is already thin, I just want improvement to battery life.

yeah i really wish they would just make it the same thickness, but increase the battery size.

 

[URFloorMatt]

So instead of using the extra space for an even bigger battery, apple goes for the "more thin" than the previous model crap, the classic apple way.

The larger surface area on the battery would suggest that it can store a lot more charge. But more than likely that would be off-set by the corresponding increase in screen-size.

Haven't we seen mock-ups of the new iPhone design? Did anything suggest it was thinner? I don't recall it being noticeably thinner, but maybe that was an illusion brought on by its bigger size.

I do think it's important that the device be thinner if it is indeed substantially larger. Ideally the new phone should have close to or the same volume as the iPhone 4/4s.

 

[cclloyd]

How would it improve the image quality exactly? Denser resolution or something?

 

[nuckinfutz]

Increasing the size of the battery isn't the only way to improve battery life people.

 

[petsounds]

Does anyone *really* need the iPhone to be thinner at this point? If it was any thinner, it would at least psychologically feel fragile. I think there's a balance between form and function with the slimness of the device, and Apple is already teetering on that edge.

 

[macs4nw]

Metal for the back would be soo much better than glass.

Agreed. And use the space gained for a slightly thicker battery; longer battery life is probably a much desired feature for a lot of people!!

 

[nuckinfutz]

Does anyone *really* need the iPhone to be thinner at this point? If it was any thinner, it would at least psychologically feel fragile. I think there's a balance between form and function with the slimness of the device, and Apple is already teetering on that edge.

People want the phone to be slim even in a case.

 

[Jayomat]

Does anyone *really* need the iPhone to be thinner at this point? If it was any thinner, it would at least psychologically feel fragile. I think there's a balance between form and function with the slimness of the device, and Apple is already teetering on that edge.

does an iPod Touch feel fragile to you? it does not to me, and it is substantially thinner than an iPhone

 

[elie195]

It's like the new retina MacBook Pro.

 

[LastLine]

I really hope the battery doesn't get smaller over making it "thinner". The iPhone is already thin, I just want improvement to battery life.

Agreed - I'd actually take a tad thicker to get a battery life - that'd be a killer feature in this day and age.

 

[imola.zhp]

They better fill that extra space with more battery, if not, I'm jumping to the Razor Maxx... I've been using iPhones since they came out, I'm tired of my 4 always being dead, always...

 

[jonasen]

I really hope the battery doesn't get smaller over making it "thinner". The iPhone is already thin, I just want improvement to battery life.

I totally agree, the phone shouldn't even be thinner than it is. You don't want the feeling that it might break in your pocket...

Keep going for the thinner components but let the battery take all the extra space I'd say...imagine a battery that lasts...two days?

 

[pandamonia]

Who Gives a CRAP about THIN!

Give me a battery that lasts!

 

[ahireasu]

The larger surface area on the battery would suggest that it can store a lot more charge. But more than likely that would be off-set by the corresponding increase in screen-size.

Exactly that + don't forget the LTE, I really hope that apple for once to do something about where the competition fails, aka to make a phone with a good battery life + latest technology.

Haven't we seen mock-ups of the new iPhone design? Did anything suggest it was thinner? I don't recall it being noticeably thinner, but maybe that was an illusion brought on by its bigger size.

I do think it's important that the device be thinner if it is indeed substantially larger. Ideally the new phone should have close to or the same volume as the iPhone 4/4s.

What most people don't realize is that the iPhone doesn't need to be made bigger to get a larger screen in width and height, all they need to do is the width of the 3GS and the height of ip 4 then you can get a 4" to 4.3" screen, ofc the Bessel will get smaller.
Anyway I find it a bit hard to believe that apple will go for the 16.9 ratio since this is ********ing up the ecosystem + if they do it they will be stuck to that screen for 2 to 4 year, you know ecosystem, fragmentation etc.