iPhone 6, iPad 5 May Use Thinner, Higher Resolution Screens Says Rumor

The iPhone 6 and iPad 5 could feature a thinner, lower power, higher resolution IGZO display from Sharp according to new rumors.

IGZO displays from Sharp were first rumored to appear in the iPad mini in October, but that did not come to life. Now, DigiTimes reports that Apple is in talks with Sharp to use IGZO displays in the next generation of mobile Apple devices.

This could be in the iPad 5, the next generation iPad which rumors say could arrive as early as March 2013. The new screen tech could also make an appearance in the iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S, which some rumors suggest will arrive in the summer of 2013.

DigiTimes isn’t the most reliable source of rumors, but it is known for passing along details from the supply chain in Asia, so this latest rumor could hold some truth. DigiTimes reports,

The sources said Apple is in further discussions with Sharp over IGZO panel production capacity estimates for 2013 and is also inquiring about whether AU Optronics’ (AUO) L5C line could be used to produce the technology

The IGZO name comes from the material used in the display, indium gallium zinc oxide. The new type of display uses smaller transistors according to PC World. This allows for more pixel dense displays, boosting 50% higher than on the current iPad 4. At IFA 2012 Sharp demoed a 6.1-inch screen with a 498 pixels per inch rating. The iPad 4 features a 9.7-inch display with a 326 pixels per inch rating.

The video below shows off an IGZO display at IFA 2012.

An IGZO display could also mean vastly better iPhone battery life. In the demo at IFA 2012, the IGZO display drew 2/3rds less power than a traditional display and the backlight also uses less power according to PC World.

The benefits of IGZO don’t stop there. Reports claim the new screen tech offers a more accurate touch experience. Sharp IGZO displays use a thinner glass edge, which would allow Apple to produce a thinner iPad 5 and iPhone 6. The iPhone 5 is already a thin 7.6mm, but with better power management and a thinner display the next generation could be even thinner.

iPad 5, iPhone 6 and iPad mini 2

The iPad 5, or iPad 5th generation as it would officially be known, may arrive in early 2013 with a thinner form factor and design cues from the iPad mini. If this arrives in March it may be the first Apple product with the new display tech and could push the Retina resolution and pixel density higher.

The next generation iPhone is likely to be the iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S. Apple traditionally adds an S to the model name, but if Apple plans to move the iPhone up to June as some rumors indicate, we may see a full jump to compete with the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Google X Phone.

The iPad mini 2 is rumored to be the first iPad mini with a higher resolution Retina Display. The IGZO technology could make this a possibility thanks to the thinner design and lower power consumption.