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Apple's (AAPL) Next iPhone Should Be Thinner with This New Complex Technology

July 17, 2012 12:52 PM EDT
Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) next iPhone will have thinner profile, if reports about new technology being used in the device are correct today.

According to the WSJ, citing people familiar with the matter, the next iPhone will use in-cell technology, which integrates touch sensors into the liquid-crystal display (LCD). The technology makes having a separate touch panel unnecessary, also adding to a more streamlined supply chain for Apple, as it doesn't have to go through another panel-maker for touch panels only.

In addition to dropping about half-a-millimeter of girth, the new screen should also produce crisper, sharper images.

Manufacturers currently in panel production include Sharp Corp, Japan Display, an LG Display (NYSE: LPL).

Despite the good news, the WSJ said the new panels were much more challenging to make and manufacturers were scrambling to produce quality results consistently. Also, the panels are more expensive to make, possibly leading to some questions of whether Apple's profitability will be able to be sustained from one of its most lucrative products (quick answer: yes).

But, the thinner profile might let Apple squeeze a larger-capacity battery into the next device, a benefit if it plans on moving to LTE technology.

Apple's next iPhone -- lovingly dubbed the iPhone 5 (again) -- should debut sometime in the latter-part of 2012.

Shares are 0.3 percent higher Tuesday.


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