Apple May Be Returning to Glass-on-Glass Touch Panels for iPhone 7

A new rumor out of Apple's supply chain in Asia suggests that the company could be returning to using ultra-thin glass-on-glass touch panels for next year's line of iPhones, but will remain using in-cell touch panels for the "iPhone 6s" and "iPhone 6s Plus," both predicted to launch this month (via DigiTimes). The sources cite Apple's issues with production bottlenecks of the in-cell technology which prevent the company from "adding new features as well as increasing resolutions."

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Makers have already begun sending samples of fully laminated G/G technology to Apple and Corning along with Asahi Glass have also reportedly sent glass samples.

Market observers have recently noted that Apple is in discussions over whether to go back to G/G instead of in-cell technology for future iPhone devices as in-cell technology is currently struggling with various production bottlenecks that are preventing Apple from adding new features as well as increasing resolutions.

Notably, the improvement in glass-on-glass production technology could grant Apple the ability to create a bezel-free iPhone that in-cell panels currently limit. The possibility of a full 4K ultra HD screen would also be in the cards according to the sources in the company's supply chain, again pointing to current limitations on in-cell touch panels themselves, and their production.

G/G touch panels may also help Apple develop bezel-free smartphones as in-cell touch panels reportedly are struggling with touch sensitivity on the edges. Additionally, in-cell touch panels also make it difficult for vendors to pursue higher resolutions including Ultra HD (4K) due to current bottlenecks, the observers said.

Apple used glass-on-glass touch panels in its iPhone line until the iPhone 5 came out in 2012 with in-cell panels. The new line of iPhones predicted to be announced at next week's September 9 media event will undoubtedly continue to use in-cell panels, with stronger 7000 series aluminum shells, Force Touch, an improved 12-megapixel camera, all housed in a similar design to last year's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7

Tag: digitimes.com

Top Rated Comments

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geoff5093

41 months ago

Edge to edge is great, but they really need to start shrinking the top and bottom bezels. The 6+ is larger than the Note 5 and has a 0.2" smaller screen.

Rating: 18 Votes

blackcrayon

41 months ago

Well, that's what you get when you dont actually manufacturer your own hardware unlike an amazing Korean company who's products are the highest of quality with curved displays. I won't say their name here for fear of fire and pitchforks. But it begins with an S and ends with a g. LOL!

& Touchwiz is what you get when you don't actually design your own OS but you do want to put your personal stamp on it, but you aren't particularly good at software. LOL!

Rating: 13 Votes

mdelvecchio

41 months ago

get real. a curved display is not a feature. it adds nothing to the usability of an otherwise crappy copycat line of clones. Samsung blows.

Rating: 10 Votes

keysofanxiety

41 months ago

I'm not sure Apple will ever do away with the home button; at this point it's one of the key distinctions between the iPhone and any Android design.

Honestly I can't imagine an iPhone in 2022 still having a physical click home button. I guess we'll have to come back to this thread in 7 years and see who eats their words :D

Rating: 8 Votes

sshambles

41 months ago

Edge to edge is great, but they really need to start shrinking the top and bottom bezels. The 6+ is larger than the Note 5 and has a 0.2" smaller screen.

Symmetry dude, symmetry. iPhone has a distinctive spatial awareness and symmetry to uphold that don't look as good in other phones that don't have it. Top and bottom bezels need to stay.

Get an iPhone 6 instead of a plus if it's too bulky for you.

Rating: 8 Votes

penajmz

41 months ago

I miss a glass back. It gave the iPhone an ultra premium feel. Personally I welcome it back.

I don't get this talk about the bezel free iPhone, personally I think the bezel serves the purpose from keeping your finger or the thumb--palm area from accidentally touching the screen. Calling bull-**** on the in-cell inability to create a bezel-less phone, I think the bezel is a deliberate design feature. And the last thing we want is an even smaller battery.

Software can take care of this. I have a Galaxy Edge S6 from trying it out with that program Samsung has and that is not an issue at all.

Rating: 7 Votes

keysofanxiety

41 months ago

Edge-to-edge display sounds brilliant. With the advent of Force Touch it's possible they may eventually do away with the physical home button all together, and it'll just be one big display.

That's why I'm holding out for the iPhone 8 :p

Rating: 6 Votes

Mac Fly (film)

41 months ago

I'm not sure Apple will ever do away with the home button; at this point it's one of the key distinctions between the iPhone and any Android design.

I love the home button.

Rating: 5 Votes

geoff5093

41 months ago

Having an extra 3/4" of an inch that is basically useless on an already big phone just makes it worse. This design worked on previous models due to their small size, but not on a 5.5" phone.

I'm all for symmetry. Apple just needs to incorporate Touch ID into the screen itself and remove the need for a physical sensor/button. Or at the very least, shrink the button maybe 10%, remove the gap above and below the button, and that could shave several mm off the height.

Rating: 5 Votes