Mass Production of 4.7″ iPhone 6 Screen to Start in May, 5.5″ Versions could be Delayed

Apple is reportedly going to begin the mass production of its new iPhone 6 4.7-inch screens as early as next month (May). However, the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 versions could be delayed as mass production of larger screens are expected to start many month later.

Apple’s new iPhone 6 versions are widely rumored to come with larger display screens than ever before. Apple is said to be working on 2 new versions of its next flagship iPhone 6 smartphone. One version is speculated to have 4.7-inch display while the other is reported to come with big 5.5-inch screen. And Apple is expected to launch its new iPhone 6 device this autumn.

Now a current report from Reuters claims that the Apple suppliers are going to begin the mass production of new iPhone displays as early as May. However, the same report points that the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 screens are expected to be produced first while the 5.5-inch iPhone version could be delayed.

Some inside sources, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters that “Japan Display Inc, Sharp Corp and South Korea’s LG Display Co Ltd have all been tapped to make the screens.” However, Japan Display is said to be the first supplier who will to start production, “at its flagship plant at Mobara, east of Tokyo, as early as May. The others are due to begin output around June.”

Apple’s both current iPhone models, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, have only 4.0-inch display panels. Apple is the still leading the  US smartphone market. However, it loses its grip in the worldwide market. Hence, Apple needs iPhones with larger displays in order to compete with its rival Samsung and to regain its smartphone market share worldwide. Apple CEO Tim Cook also promises to bring “new product categories” for 2014.

Both 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 screens are expected to come with in-cell touch panel technology. This in-cell touch panel will be built into the screen and it will make the display thinner than with standard touch panel films.

However, Apple is facing difficulties to use in-cell production technology for the larger 5.5-inch size. That is why, tech giant is said to only start mass production of the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 version next month. And 5.5-inch iPhone 6 screens mass production is expected to begin many months later. And it is also possible that Apple could shift to a film sensor instead of in-cell technology for the larger iPhone 6 version.