iPhone 5 Could Be Delayed, Use a New Touchscreen Technology

Shortages of LTE-enabled chips will reportedly push back the release of Apple's next iPhone until the fall. A separate report indicates that this device will use a new type of touchscreen.

Recent reports have indicated that Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 5 this summer. However, a market analyst from Piper Jaffray has weighed in to say that the launch won't be before the fall, as Qualcomm is having trouble meeting demand for the modem chips that will be used in this smartphone.

Apple makes its own CPUs, but Qualcomm is reportedly going to provide the chips that will handle the iPhone 5's support for 4G LTE. These will use a new 28-nanometer technology, and chip maker is running into some difficulties manufacturing these in sufficient quantities.

In-Cell Touchscreen

Previous Apple smartphones have used a standard arrangement, with a toushpanel set in front of an LCD. If a new report is correct, the next model will combine these two.

The new In-cell technology merges the touchpanel into the thin-film transistor (TFT) display. This allows the screen to be thinner and lighter, which fits in with previious reports that Apple is looking to significantly redesign its next handset.

Don't miss our previous article on What to Expect from the iPhone 5.

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