Sapphire Glass Limited to 5.5” iPhone 6; LG Runs into iWatch Display Issues

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Despite reports of Apple having enough sapphire glass for both iPhone 6 and iWatch models, rumour has it that the sapphire glass display will be 5.5-inch iPhone only because of low sapphire yield, sources speaking with Taiwan’s Economic Daily News revealed (via GforGames). Also, the iWatch display manufacturers are struggling to meet Apple’s expectations.

We have previously heard reports of a delayed 5.5-inch iPhone launch due to battery issues, which were later solved. This time, however, the sources aren’t talking about a production delay, but only about limited quantities. They seem to corroborate earlier reports about the high-end 5.5-inch iPhone 6 featuring sapphire glass, while the “smaller” 4.7-inch won’t.

The source also claims that the 4.7 inch iPhone 6 will hit the market with Gorilla Glass in tow. The main screen suppliers allegedly are LGD and JDI, and in anticipation of the handset’s success, the company expects to ship 60 million units (we assume that by the end of 2014).

The same sources disclosed information about the iWatch as well. Apple has allegedly pushed back the highly anticipated device’s release as the display manufacturer, LG, has failed to meet the company’s high expectations. According to people familiar with the matter, Apple is aiming to release a wearable device that draws almost no power when in standby.

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Reportedly, Apple has constantly pushed back the gadget’s release date because the device failed, in the past, to meet the company’s expectations. One of Apple goals with the iWatch is for the smartwatch’s display to draw almost no power when in standby, but this has proven to be a big challenge. And speaking of the display, the device will reportedly feature an OLED screen (between 1.3 and 1.6-inches in size) which will be supplied exclusively by LG Display, just as it’s been reported back in January 2014.

In line with previous reports, most of the iWatch units will be assembled in Quanta’s plants, with Inventec pitching in. The iWatch will likely be unveiled at the end of the third quarter, and Apple has reportedly ordered 10 million units.

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