The Apple iPhone 5 could possibly be .44mm thinner than the iPhone 4S according to a report which claims the company may switch to new in-cell touch panel technology. Apple has repeatedly been attempting to thin-down its devices and according to last weeks rumors manufacturers are working hard to convince Apple to switch the panels which integrate with TFT LCD screens instead of stacking them on top of one another.
According to GI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo Apple is aiming for a “sub-8mm” smartphone for the iPhone 5.
At just 7.99mm the iPhone 5 would be the thinnest device offered by Apple to date while experts believe that shift could lead to a trimmer battery and a glass bank panel that is replaced by a metal cover, changes that could get rid of an extra .96mm.
According to SlashGear :
“In-panel touch technology basically combines capacitive touch sensors into the color filters of the TFT LCD, rather than stacking them one on top of the other. As well as meaning no separate touch sensor need be accommodated, it also removes a layer of adhesive and a step in the production process to combine what were previously two separate components.”
Essentially the iPhone 5 would become more efficient while producing less waste. The new screen setup could also cut production time from 12-16 days to just 3-5, that means more money savings for Apple with far superior production turn around times.
Whether or not Apple will make the switch to the new display technology for the iPhone 5 is still not known at this time. In the meantime we keep hearing rumors of a new “liquid metal” manufacturing process which sounds very “Terminator” movie sequel like to us.
