Apple’s initial iPhone 5 shipments are expected to be affected by a touch panel issue with one of the company’s Taiwanese suppliers, leading to a slight reduction in shipment numbers ahead of an October launch, Digitimes reports.
Wintek, touch panel maker for the iPhone, is said to be experiencing a “delayed bubble” defect which is only detected later in the process of laminating touch panels when they are being assembled. Sources suggest that because the manufacturing process is similar in nature to that of the iPhone 4, Wintek is expected to resolve manufacturing issues quickly.
The report, which has been published just weeks ahead of Apple’s rumoured October 4 unveiling, may suggest that Apple may not meet initial shipment targets but Wintek has been quick to deny rumours by stating that all of its products are being delivered on schedule.
With over a year between iPhone announcements, providing Apple with huge lead time to ensure its initial shipments ready before launch, rumours of a delay at this late stage could be a case of pure misinformation.
Also, Wintek is thought to provide only a quarter of iPhone touch panels, with Taiwan-based TPK Holding accounting for 60-65% and Chimei Innolux for the remainder, indicating that with its shared distribution strategy Apple will have accounted for production issues to meet its targets.
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