iPhone 5 Release Date Draws Closer as Apple Ships Larger Screens

By Daniel Distant, Christian Post Reporter Monday, November 28, 2011

Apple technology suppliers Hitachi and Sony began shipping 4-inch LCD panels, most likely for the creation of the much-anticipated iPhone 5.

To accommodate the half-inch more of screen space, the iPhone 5 is reported to be designed 8 mm larger with a sturdy metal case to boot.

Japanese company Macotakara, which stated that Hitachi Displays and Sony Mobile Display Corporation have already started the process of shipping the new LCD screens, leaked the information.

“According to Asian source, Hitachi Displays, Ltd. and Sony Mobile Display Corporation started to ship 4-inch LCD for [a] new iOS device,” according to the Japanese website.

This contradicts earlier reports of a possible total redesign of the iPhone that would have hosted a teardrop shape. Problems with 4G and the aesthetics could have prompted Apple to stick to the classic iPhone shape, and simply make a slightly bigger phone.

Some argue that contrary to the move by most phones, like the Samsung Galaxy II that boasts a 4.21-inch display, bigger is not necessarily better.

A quick in-hand assessment of both handsets reveal that the iPhone’s screen allows a user to touch anywhere on the screen with just one hand; the Galaxy II and other bigger phones, in contrast, require two hands for optimal operation.

Dustin Curtis, a technology blogger, commented on what could be Apple’s smart move conserving their screen size.

“[The 3.5-inch screen] is an example of one of those design decisions that you don’t usually notice until you see someone doing it wrong,” said Curtis, referring to the Galaxy II.

Besides the 4-inch LCD displays, Hitachi and Sony also allied to ship screens for the iPad 3.

“Hitachi Displays, Ltd. and Sony Mobile Display Corporation started to ship… LCD for iPad 3. These 2 companies will be merged their business with Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd., as ‘Japan Display’ in 2012 spring,” said Macotakara, after translation.

The higher quality screens would make the iPad 3 the first tablet with true Retina Display, or 2048x1536 pixels.

Macotakara, Hitachi, and Sony all declined to specifically state whether the 4-inch LCD displays were definite for the iPhone 5, but with Apple releasing relatively few types of technology, it’s hard to imagine the screens for anything else.