The persistent rumor about a bigger display for Apple’s iPhone 5 just won’t go away. The current speculation as reported by Japanese blog Macotakara, citing sources within Apple’s supply chain, is that Sony and Hitachi have begun shipments of 4-inch LCD panels for a new iOS device due out in 2012. The two companies are also rumored to be shipping LCD screens for the iPad 3. Additionally, Sony and Hitachi are reportedly to merge their business with Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd. to form “Japan Display” in the first half of 2012.
If true, then Apple has already decided on the design for the followup to the iPhone 4S, which was released just last month, and is beginning to collect parts and produce units.If Apple is indeed sourcing next-generation iOS device displays from Hitachi and Sony, it would mean the company may be abandoning the Taiwanese display makers it currently uses to supply parts. Currently, TPK supplies about two-thirds of the touch panels for the iPhone 4S, while Wintek makes about a quarter, and Chimei Innolux makes the rest, according to reports.
Again, these are just rumors citing anonymous sources. The internet was abuzz with iPhone 5 rumors not too long ago and that turned out to be not quite the case. What do you think about these latest reports?
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