There could be a hitch in Apple’s supply chain for next generation iPhone 5. A manufacturing defect ‘delayed bubble’has been identified in iPhone 5 touch panels by Wintek, a key Apple manufacturer, which may cause stall in initial shipment targets for the October launch, reports Digitimes, citing iPhone supply chain makers.
The sources claimed that the defect, “delayed bubble”, is hard to avoid during panel production. It cannot be identified during the lamination process and is only identifiable in final assembly process.
Since the manufacturing process of touch panels used in iPhone 5 is of the same as that for iPhone 4, the flaw doesn’t seem to have serious impact on iPhone 5 shipments. Wintek, who has experience in reaching their goals will remedy the glitch very quickly, the sources indicated.
Wintek accounts for 20-25 percent of the total production of touch panels used in iPhone 5, while Taiwan-based TPK Holding accounts for 60-65 percent and Chimei Innolux for the remainder. And, based on a conservative estimate, Digitimes claims that Apple is likely to ship 25-26 million units of iPhone 5 in the fourth quarter. However, recent report from same publication indicated that Apple had placed initial orders for 14 million iPhone 5 with manufacturing partners Foxconn and Pegatron, but the orders were then upped to as many as 20 million units for Q4.
In contrast, Wintek squashed the claims and said that the shipment schedules are on track. Digitimes is notoriously hit or miss with its insider information, but in this case, the report may be accurate.
Related posts:
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- Apple Ups iPhone 5 Orders in Q4 2011 to 20 Million; 56 Million Total Units for Second Half – [Report]
- Foxconn Manufacturing 150k iPhone 5 Units per day
- iPod Touch 5G to get 3G Cellular Data, VoIP Connectivity? [Rumor]
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