The purported pictures of Apple iPhone 6 prototype have surfaced online amid reports of the device's screen going for mass production early next month.
An anonymous tipster has posted alleged snapshots of the original Apple iPhone 6 prototype on the Chinese social network site Weibo. The photos were said to be snapped by an employee inside Foxconn factory, Apple's primary OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) supply partner.
Among the three pictures, one shows the blue-print of the new iPhone 6 featuring a protruding camera on the rear-side, similar to the one we see in the current Apple iPod touch, hinting we might expect new camera features in the upcoming iPhones. While going through the other two live images of iPhone 6 prototypes, the device appears to have a slim body profile and curved corners, inspired by the 2013 iPad Air model. Previous reports too have predicted that the new iPhone will have an appendage 'Air' instead of the numerical '6'. [To view photos, click here]
Though information from the images and the schematics are in line with past reports, there is no proof to authenticate the photos to be the original iPhone 6 prototype. Hence, readers are advised to take this report with a pinch of salt.
In related news, Reuters citing supply chain sources has claimed that the Apple iPhone 6 (4.7-inch model) screen will go under mass production as early as May.
Apple has reportedly roped in three partners Japan Display, Sharp Corporation and South Korean based firm, LG Display Co. to produce the iPhone 6 screens and has given marching orders to Japan Display to begin production next month, followed by others in June.
This year, Apple iPhone 6 is said to boast of advanced in-cell touch-panel technology to allow thinner construction, compared to standard touch panel that has been in use since the iPhone 5 (2012).
However, due to difficulties in mass production of in-cell touch-screens, Apple has advised supply partners to go for 4.7-inch iPhone 6 model alone.
The Cupertino based company has reportedly pushed 5.5-inch model screen manufacturing to several months and probably in a bid to avoid further delay, Apple is contemplating to shun in-cell touch panel technology, and instead use standard film sensors in the big model.
Going by the reports, Apple iPhone 6 (aka Air) may debut alone this fall (around September), whereas the company's 5.5-inch model (aka iPhablet), which was touted to take on arch rival Samsung's Galaxy Note phablet series may not see the light of the day this year.
