Apple Likely to Slim Down iPhone and iPad with Thinner and Lighter Backlights

As Apple continues its quest to make its iOS devices thinner and lighter, the company will take advantage of advancements in LED backlighting technology to shift to thinner components for the iPhone 6 and upcoming iPad models, according to a report from LEDinside, a division of research firm TrendForce.

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The report notes that a thinner design will see Apple shifting from 0.6 mm thick side-view LED backlights to 0.4 mm thick modules, but also questionably claims that the iPhone 6 will arrive in June. The iPhone 6 is generally expected to arrive in the same September-October timeframe seen in recent years.

According to sources from Apple supply chain, the iPhone 6 is likely to be released in June 2014, and will have larger monitor size of 4.7”. Industry insiders also projected the iPhone 6 will have a much lighter frame, which will lead to upgrades in LED backlight specs. In the previous generation, the iPhone used 0.6t side-view type LED, in contrast the new iPhone will probably be adopting 0.4t side-view type LED.

Apple has been rumored to be increasing display size for the iPhone 6, and while LEDinside's report only mentions a 4.7-inch model, a number of other claims have included an even larger model at 5.5-5.7 inches. Larger displays will undoubtedly lead to larger device bodies, but that extra height and width could give Apple more room to spread out components and reduce device thickness from the current 7.6 mm of the iPhone 5s, and thinner backlights could aid that goal in an industry where fractions of a millimeter count.

LEDinside claims that similar changes are coming for the iPad, particularly with a rumored 12-inch model. According to the report, new iPads will see their backlights shift to 0.6 mm thick modules from the current 0.8 mm components.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
Related Forums: iPhone, iPad

Top Rated Comments

Cougarcat Avatar
126 months ago
I feel like a broken record for saying this, but I wish Apple would keep the thickness the same and use the extra space for a bigger battery.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wuiffi Avatar
126 months ago
and reduce device thickness from the current 7.6 mm of the iPhone 5s, and thinner backlights could aid that goal in an industry where fractions of a millimeter count
yes it counts. Don't make it thinner!!!

Leave it so you can improve the camera and put in a bigger battery!!!!
No need for even thinner devices
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3282868 Avatar
126 months ago
If the rumors are true, the next iPhone will be a 4.7/5.5" sheet of paper.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lefty21 Avatar
126 months ago
Wait wait wait, so the new iPhone and iPad are going to be lighter AND thinner?

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Corrode Avatar
126 months ago
I already think the iPhone is a bit too thin for comfort in my hand. But it's perfect with a case on it so I guess its the best of both worlds for those who like it thin, and those who like it thick. (There must be a euphemism in there somewhere.)
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FSMBP Avatar
126 months ago
Good! My number one complaint was always how thick the iPhone is! :rolleyes:

Keep the same thick-ness and add a better camera or more battery. At some point its too thin.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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