Last Friday we reported that Apple was rumored to be making the switch over to in-cell displays for its next-generation iPhone. The result would be a slimmer iPhone, but exactly how much slimmer? According to research analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, the use of in-cell displays could very well aid in reducing the thickness of the iPhone by up to 15%, bringing it down from its current thinness of 9.3mm to 7.9mm. He was quoted as saying in his report:
“Since Apple’s smartphone competitors have generally slimmed down their high-end offerings to 7-8mm, Apple needs to make a leap forward from 4S’ 9.3mm thickness. We believe Apple will aim at 8mm or below (at least 1.4mm slimmer) for iPhone 5, in a bid to ensure brisk sales through 2014, while peers will also continue to introduce increasingly slim models next year.
As such, all iPhone 4S components that account for thickness must be slimmer, specifically, touch panel, battery and casing. Moreover, a marginal amount of space is required between the three parts for the sakes of assembly tolerance and thermal expansion of components.”
Other aspects which could aid in reducing the iPhone’s thickness would be the use of a slimmer battery which Kuo thinks Apple will be able to “broaden” within the body, along with the use of a metal back cover as opposed to glass. All of this would shave about 15% off the iPhone’s thickness. While thin phones may look good, there are users out there who might prefer the secure feeling they get while holding onto a thicker device, but what do you guys think? Would a 7.9mm thin iPhone be of interest to you?
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