Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) might be considering an edge to edge display for its next generation iPhone, according to a report from Korea Herald. Also, a Japanese report suggests that the iPhone maker is in talks with Sony to supply front-facing Face Time camera modules for its smartphone. The Japanese firm already supplies the rear iSight camera components.
Apple planning big changes for iPhone 6
The iPhone maker is testing prototypes of the so-called “iPhone 6” lacking a bezel surrounding the devices’ displays, according to reports from the Korean Herald. There have been numerous reports about an iPhone without a bezel over the years. Earlier, in November, a report stated that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was designing handsets with “larger displays with glass that curves downward at the edges.”
Apart from display, the iPhone may also have certain fingerprint sensing capabilities that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patented before. As of now, it is not clear if Apple would include a home button and remove touch ID feature or remove the home button from the phone.
Also, there have been reports that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is in talks with Sony to supply the front facing camera. According to the reports, the Japanese electronics giant is close to a deal to ship CMOS camera modules to Apple as early as next year, according to Nikkei Asian Review reports. Sony has acquired a semiconductor manufacturing facility from Japanese manufacturer Renesas Electronics to indicate the deal with Apple. To increase the production capability of CMOS at the Sony facility the company would have to invest around ¥35 billion ($342 million),
Larger screen in the works?
In January, analyst Timothy Arcuri suggested that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) might have a larger screen display, and also claimed that much of the design for the iPhone 6 has been finalised. The analyst said that the iPhone would have a display size of 4.8 inch display. Other than Arcuri, there have been a number of analysts, in the past, to claim that Apple is making a larger display phone. One of the most reputed analysts Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities said last September that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is possibly launching a larger iPhone this year, but the device will not be larger than 5 inches due to “unwavering principle of one hand use.”
Apart from hardware redesigns, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is also planning to tweak some software changes as well along with the next generation iOS release, Arcuri claimed.
