Next iPhone Could Get Get In-Cell Touch Panels

A new wave of rumors surrounding the next iPhone suggest that the device will be getting in-cell touchscreens.

Compared to the current multi-layer touch panel technology, the new screens are thinner and lighter as they allow manufacturers to integrate the touch feature directly into the LCD. The result would be a substantially thinner smartphone and alternatively more room for hardware and new features, which could allow Apple, for example, to design a layered 3D display.

The Internet rumor mill currently pinpoints the possible launch of the iPhone 5 at June 2012, based on a recruiter claim that Foxconn is hiring 18,000 new workers to support the launch of the device.

In-cell display technologies are currently only within reach of Sharp (in which Foxconn has invested heavily) as well as Toshiba, which might put other Apple display suppliers at jeopardy. Digitimes reported that TPK Holdings and Wintek, which could suddenly see their revenues drop, even if TPK said that it is working on touch-on-lens single-glass solutions for smartphones and tablets.

The publication noted that Sharp will be producing in-cell display panels at its 5.5G factories, while Toshiba is moving the technology to 6G and will begin mass manufacturing this quarter.

  • DroKing
    ummm I am speechless at all this Apple loving articles. However its a cool tech in general though but not when its used for an apple product. ^_^
    Reply
  • christarp
    DroKingummm I am speechless at all this Apple loving articles. However its a cool tech in general though but not when its used for an apple product. ^_^Are you serious
    Reply
  • silveralien81
    No, he's DroKing
    Reply
  • DroKing
    yes I am dead serious. I may be completely biased with hate toward Apple products but its for a good reason. I hate closed ecosystems period.
    Reply
  • face-plants
    Innovative new tech is good no matter how great or garbage the final products are that it is used in. Thinner screens with touch sensing built right into the pixels basically, being made by multiple companies and more developing them will benefit far more techies than just iPhone users.
    Reply
  • fudoka711
    face-plantsInnovative new tech is good no matter how great or garbage the final products are that it is used in. Thinner screens with touch sensing built right into the pixels basically, being made by multiple companies and more developing them will benefit far more techies than just iPhone users.
    I agree with this. we're finally seeing a bigger leap in hardware in apple products. There hasn't been that much of a difference in apple hardware in the past few years besides beefier, more efficeint processors. I don't think the battery tech has gotten that much better (apple's is already hecka good though) and the device hasn't actually gotten more compact. Having a thinner screen is definitely an improvement I like to see.

    What I don't really think is great is putting 3D technology into something so tiny. Make holographic, 360 degree images that pop out and you can interact with - and then I'll be impressed by 3D tech, no matter how big or small the "screen."
    Reply
  • archange
    face-plantsInnovative new tech is good no matter how great or garbage the final products are that it is used in. Thinner screens with touch sensing built right into the pixels basically, being made by multiple companies and more developing them will benefit far more techies than just iPhone users.
    Just as long as they don't patent it as revolutionary and start suing everybody all over again.
    Reply
  • vilenjan
    Iphone meet the Super Amoled screen of my nearly 2 year old Samsung Captivate.
    Reply
  • impreza
    unless it means they can make the battery twice the size doesn't sound like anything amazing. I don't get why phones need to be so thin, just makes them a pain to hold to talk on.
    Reply
  • molo9000
    imprezaunless it means they can make the battery twice the size doesn't sound like anything amazing. I don't get why phones need to be so thin, just makes them a pain to hold to talk on.Size and weight make a phone less comfortable to carry in a pocket on your body, be it in your trousers or jacket.
    I've never experienced thinness being a problem when holding a phone.

    I don't understand why people like those ginormous 4.5" smartphones. They are uncomfortable to wear and uncomfortable to hold & operate with one hand.
    A smartphone the same size as the iPhone but slimmer would be a pretty good form factor IMO.
    Reply