The iPhone 6 is one of the most anticipated smartphones of this year, but it seems that there might be a snag in its launch. According to the recent reports, the suppliers of the iPhone maker are currently scrambling to ensure that they get enough screens made for the launch of the iPhone 6 because panel production was disrupted ahead of next month’s predicted launch of the phone by the need of redesigning a key component of the device. It is still not clear whether this hiccup will delay the release of the phone or restrict the number of devices that will be available to customers in the beginning.
This information was provided by the sources as Apple attempts to readies larger-screen iPhone 6 amid the loss of market share to rivals for the year-end shopping season. However, this issue sheds some light on the challenges and risks faced by the suppliers for meeting the tough specifications laid down by the Cupertino, California based firm. It also comes right at the heels of another complication that had just been resolved; the issue of the separate screen technology that was required for designing thinner screens for the larger model of the iPhone 6.
A media event has been scheduled by the American technology firm for September 9th and it is expected that the event is being conducted for unveiling the new iPhone 6 that will have two models; one with a 4.7 inch screen and one with a 5.5 inch screen. This will be considerably larger than the 4 inch screens that can be seen in both the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. It was stated by two supply chain sources that a setback was suffered in the display panel production because changes had to be made to the backlight that’s used for illuminating the screen.
This meant that screen assembly couldn’t be conducted for the best part of June and July. According to one supply chain source, the iPhone maker wanted to create the thinnest phone possible so they had initially wanted to reduce the backlight film to just a single layer as compared to the two layers found in standard phones. This was focused on the 4.7 inch version of the iPhone 6 that was put into mass production way before the 5.5 inch version. Nevertheless, the new configuration didn’t turn out to be bright enough so the backlight had been sent back and the extra layer had been added.
This had cost valuable time and had left screen assembly operations idle for a while. But, production has picked up again and the suppliers are working flat-out in order to compensate for the lost time, as per the information provided by the supply chain sources. LG Display, Sharp and Japan Display are the three companies that have been chosen to make the screens for the iPhone 6, but no information was provided by representatives of the companies. Apple didn’t make any official announcement concerning the delay in the launch of the iPhone either.