LG Rumored To Be Pumping Out 4-inch iPhone 5 Displays
Posted by Michael Nace on Thursday Aug 23, 2012 Under Apple Rumors, iPhone 5 Opinion
More mass-production rumors of a bigger, thinner display for the iPhone 5. But does this news keep Apple in track for a September release, or perhaps October?
When you’re waiting around for an iPhone 5 to be released — which we have been doing ostensibly since August of 2010 — you look for big, mass production reports out of Asia. While we had a lot of those last year, they turned out to be the evidence of nothing more than the refreshed iPhone 4S. This year, however, we’ve begun to see big production reports matched with purported sightings of iPhone 5 parts. And today, an encouraging report about the iPhone 5′s display has surfaced.
According to Reuters, LG is reportedly churning out massive numbers of iPhone 5 displays, and they are of the bigger, thinner ilk that has been speculated since the onset of the iPhone 5 rumor mill, take two:
Sources have told Reuters that the panels for the new iPhone will be 4 inches corner to corner — 30 percent bigger than current iPhones. The iPhone screens will also be thinner than previous versions with the use of so-called in-cell panels. The new technology embeds touch sensors into the liquid crystal display, eliminating the touch-screen layer found in current iPhones.
If you’re rooting for a larger-screened iPhone 5, then these displays will deliver it, as the current iPhone display measures just 3.5 inches diagonally. But the Reuters piece also brings up an interesting point: “Apple is equipping the next iPhone with a larger screen after Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest Galaxy smartphone with a 4.8-inch touch-screen.” Given the more proportioned screen dimensions of the GS3, that tells me that the rumored 4-inch LG display might very well be the long, lean one we’ve been seeing ad nauseum after all. Granted, the 4-inch display could be a shorter, wider variation — but with all of the purported parts leaks out there, is it time to match up this report with those leaks and assume that the new aspect ratio is a reality?
I’m still not too sure about that, either way.
The Reuters piece also references the rumored September 12th iPhone 5 announcement date:
Apple is planning a major product launch on September 12, stoking speculation that the world’s most valuable technology company will announce the sale of its redesigned iPhone.
Reuters, like everyone else, seems completely comfortable with that rumor and the assumption that, if the even happens, it will be to reveal the iPhone 5. However, their article also tells us the following:
“We just began mass production and we don’t expect any disruption in supplies,” Han Sang-beom, chief executive of LG Display, a panel supplier for Apple products, told reporters late on Wednesday.
His comments were embargoed until early Thursday morning.
It’s intriguing that LG’s chief was not allowed to talk about this production ramp-up until today. Moreover, does it strike anyone as odd that LG is “just” beginning mass production now? if the iPhone 5 is announced on the 12th, then the assumed launch date is September 21st. That’s less than 30 days away. If LG is playing a major role is providing the displays for the iPhone 5, aren’t they mass-building them a bit late, based on the September 12th announcement? After all, we’re not being told that displays are being shipped, but rather that they are being manufactured. After completion, they’ll still need to go to Foxconn for assembly.
Perhaps Sharp is providing the first wave of displays for the iPhone 5, as we did get a report about them getting busy earlier in the month.
But I wonder if it’s possible that September 12th will be an iPod and maybe even an iPad Mini announcement, leaving the iPhone 5 for an announcement in October, like last year? After all, if the iPad Mini turns out to be a “Mini Me” for the iPad 3 — just smaller specs for a lesser price — it could be more feasible that both the iPad Mini and new iPod should share the stage, rather than imagining that the iPhone 5 would be thrown in there as well.
Of course, there still have been no real juicy news bits about the iPad Mini at all. One wonders if the biggest wild goose chase for 2012 will be its pursuit and capture.
By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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August 23rd, 2012 at 10:06 am
Michael, I completely agree with what you wrote. I would not be surprised either if September came with a iPad mini and new iPod touch (4″). It does make sense since we know new iPods are coming as well as an iPod mini.
If that were true, Apple really would have doubled down on security afterall. I am buying the new phone regardless and do not care of its release date or design; I just like the new iDevice. I would be very impressed if it all worked out that way.
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August 23rd, 2012 at 10:53 am
Here we are at the problem… If they show us the new iPod touch at September 12. they introduce the new bigger screen and I personally thin that Apple want show it with the new iPhone. The same with the Dockconnecor.
But it is the same problem if they make it all at the same keynote. They shouldn’t show us the new bigger screen ( sure one of the “wow” effects from the new iPhone) and the new smaller Dockconnector with the iPods. If they do that they steal the iPhone the show.
I think the cleverest thing would be if they first only introduce the iPhone, and maybe the iPad mini but my feeling ist that the iPad mini launch in October or November. (If they make two keynotes)
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August 23rd, 2012 at 12:01 pm
I’m still clinging to my belief that we have not seen the new iPhone yet… It is going to look different than all the leaked images. And It won’t be 16:9.
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August 23rd, 2012 at 2:10 pm
I don’t think so…. What of LG was making idk lets say 80,000 iPhones per day and now that they are running on all cylinders now maybe they are “mass producing” like 150,000-200,000 a day and thats not counting Panasonic? Or the second company which I forgot that makes the screen
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August 23rd, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@dofe
That is a very good point.
In what order will Apple show us the new devices? If it is the iPod first and it has a larger screen and new dock connector it will steal the thunder of the new iPhone. Logic says it must be the new iPhone first as they can then say they have replicated the screen size etc. on the iPod (if there is an iPod) and the surprise would surely be the smaller iPad as we have fewer leaks of this.
How will Apple introduce a new dock connector at an event unless they incorporate it into all the other devices? If a new phone and smaller iPad come about, how will they cover all the legacy devices that people already use. Households may have devices of different ages i.e. iPad 1, iPhone 4, iPod shuffle so if they release devices with a new connector how will they manage it as people can’t be expected to buy two of each peripheral just to suit. There must be an adapter.
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August 23rd, 2012 at 2:38 pm
I notice that Mountain Lion OSX 10.8.1 has been released, just under 4 weeks since the full version hit us. The OSX 10.8.2 is going to be seeded very soon and with it comes more compatibility with iOS6.
If Apple manage to get 10.8.2 out in the same time frame then it would be safe to say that it would be ready for the rumoured release date of September 21st for the new iPhone?
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August 23rd, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Sorry….
Post #5 I meant to type iPod Touch not shuffle.
My cooler is calling…I can hear it distinctly….
Vern… Come to me….. There is beer here….Mmmm lovely beer….Would you like one? …. I am waiting Vern.
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August 23rd, 2012 at 3:50 pm
I’m guessing that’s just a stock image of and old iPhone screen, not a photo of what LG are churning out, as that image is the correct aspect ratio, not this 16:9 nonsense. I’d still love to see an edge-to-edge 4″, current ratio screen on the new iPhone.
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August 23rd, 2012 at 4:09 pm
I still maintain that these mock-ups/leaked parts are a new iPod, since the jack is at the bottom, so here’s my Apple predictions (these, and an airplane ticket will get you to Vern’s house for a beer…)
September 12, New iMac w/Retina display, Mac Pro, new iPod and iPad mini announced
September 24, IOS 6 released
October 4, iPhone 5 released, 5 core CPU*, 5G*, 256GB Storage on the max model, 4.05″ display (emphasis on the 5)
November 13, Apple TV released, with 50″ retina display, just in time for the Playoffs.
*OK, I was being silly on the 5 cores and 5G, but 4 is soooo yesteryear.
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August 23rd, 2012 at 8:48 pm
It can’t be an “elongated screen” as that would be too ugly & illogical with a new aspect ratio. I’m betting the screen will increase from 2″ to 2″ and a half, left to right, edge to edge, in order to raise the vertical hand held height while keeping the same aspect ratio.
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August 24th, 2012 at 2:26 am
@Jeff in Everett The Mac Pro was quietly updated the same day the Retina Macbook Pro and New Macbook Airs were announced. There was a complete fiasco because people were complaining when Apple but he “New” banner on the Apple Store page since the upgrades were really not that trascendental. I believe the Mac Pro has the same fate as the iPod Classic, quietly descending into oblivion. The iMac has reached a point where it works just as well as a Mac Pro, except for speacialty jobs that actually require the 80 gazillion cores a Mac Pro can have. That’s another aspect of it, since it can be upgraded and modified much more easily than other Macs, the Mac Pro doesn’t need that much upgrading. They could change the Mac Pro’s design but the design looks very modern even to this date.
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August 24th, 2012 at 2:37 am
I’d be really upset if Apple discontinued the iPod Classic. I have about 70 gigs of music and right now the iPod classic is the only iPod that can hold it all. Could I cut it down to fit on a 64gb Touch? Sure, but it’s easiest to keep it all on there and listen to what I want to. I read a rumor somewhere that once Apple releases a 128gb iPod Touch they’ll discontinue the classic, but a 128gb Touch would cost twice as much as the classic and still have less storage. I have an iPhone for all my apps and everything else. I just need the music player and when my existing classic dies (it’s over four years old now), I would like to be able to replace it with another classic. Not an ipod touch that cost $500.
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August 24th, 2012 at 2:52 am
“I’m still clinging to my belief that we have not seen the new iPhone yet… It is going to look different than all the leaked images. And It won’t be 16:9.”
So am I, hoping against hope.
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August 24th, 2012 at 3:23 am
Purported
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August 24th, 2012 at 4:24 am
@Thomas have you ever thought about registering for Itunes in the cloud, if you get a 64gb iphone or the rumoured 128gb I touch, fair enough you wouldnt have the physical album on your device but you will have free roam of your itunes library when you want
Reading all the rumours on this site over the past couple of weeks, which may I add, have been a great read.
I somehow dont think the leaked images of the new “iphone” is indeed to finished product, we saw that the original leak which was reported on by 9 to 5 was indeed a fake, but to save face i think they are still pushing this design so you are still to believe that this could be the real deal. Jumping on the bandwagon springs to mind when it comes to other webiste.
Looking at this rumour though, if the screens are just going into production then i think a later iphone release (the exact date as the 4 refresh) i dont think apple would release it at its “music” event because theyve always kept the iphone as a stand alone, from what i remember it hasnt been launched in conjuction with any other device in the past!
But i agree with the few i think this is the new ipod touch, i dont think, well i hope that apple would just release a longer thinner phone and pass it off as a redesign even though looking at the MBP they did just make it thinner with a retina.
one more thing, i think its chinese rumours so to speak when it comes to all this, weve had no comfirmation from apple for the date or any of the products which are meant to be in this up and coming release, fair enough we have known by guess work what apple are going to launch in the past (Ipad 3) but nothing has been said only speculation
Sorry about the rant haha
dont post on here much but will become more of a active member, the community on this website is great no bad vibes or anything
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August 24th, 2012 at 4:57 am
I REALLY hope the long stretched screen is just the iPod.
The late production ramp up does seem to put into question the September 12th announcement date. Still, with Tim Cook at the helm, being a logistics man and all that, he should know what it takes to ensure enough unit volume for a successful launch.
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August 25th, 2012 at 4:13 am
Have anyone seen any pictures of parts or leaked scetches/patents of the mini ipad? Something? Sounds to me like that is based on absolutely nothing. If it exists than wow what a secret it is while we get all those leaked parts and pics of new iphone. Something does not make any sense. What do you guys think?
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