iPhone 5 Reportedly Thinner Thanks to inCell Display

An analyst with Jefferies issued a research note this week catering to some of the tech industry’s most beloved rumors, including an Apple "iTV", and the iPhone 5.

On the latter, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said, “We believe Apple is partnering with Toshiba Mobile Display on inCell technology for potential inclusion in the iPhone 5 or beyond.”

“Our view of inCell remains skeptical, but if they do achieve commercial yields we see this as almost as powerful a change as a move to OLED would be,” added Misek.

Thanks to inCell, Apple’s next iPhone would not only be thinner, it would boast an amazingly responsive touch-display, Misek said.

“It would remove the need for touch assemblies,” he noted, “allow them to reduce the thickness of iPhones considerably, and would enable unbelievably smooth and sensitive touch experiences for Apple devices,” he said.

There is much debate as to whether Apple will introduce its next iPhone at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference or during a special event this fall, much like the iPhone 4S.

It is also speculated that the company will drop the numbering, to be in line with “the new iPad” that just rolled out.

Peter Misek also reignited some Apple TV rumors this week telling investors that his recent visit to Asia had churned up some interesting information regarding the company’s plans with the business pillar that Tim Cook still labels as a “hobby”.

He stated in a research note, “we believe specialty components have begun to ship to Apple's Asia panel suppliers with polarized films, filters, and IGZO components starting to move in small quantities.”

Jefferies expects commercial production to commence in the May - June timeframe. Apple is said to plan an initial batch of 2M to 5M builds. The device is estimated to arrive at Apple’s retail outlets in the fourth quarter of this year, going by Misek’s estimates.

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