Sharp, the well-known Japanese consumer electronics company, is reportedly the chosen company to start producing LCD panels for the so-called iPhone 5S early next month. According to Japanese newspaper Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun , Sharp has planned to start producing screens for the next-generation iPhone at its plant codenamed Kameyama Plant No. 1.
Sharp is one of the main display manufacturers and Apple's partner and is Samsung's biggest competitor, although it owns a significant stake. In addition to Sharp, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun reports that Apple is also in talks with LG Display and Japan Display to manufacture iPhone 5S displays. Seoul-based LG Display is known as the world's largest LCD panel manufacturer. Japan Display, as noted by Apple, is a company that combines the panel businesses of Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba.
While it was initially rumored that the iPhone 5S would be released in early summer, rumors are now shifting to the fall. It is expected to come in additional colors and feature an upgraded processor as well as an upgraded camera. Another feature that is rumored to feature is the fingerprint scanner. Step by step, Apple is moving away from Samsung, its other main supplier.
Dimitrios Georgoulas @ GreekAppleNews
