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Sketchy report: Apple may plan a return to glass-on-glass touchscreens for bezel-free iPhone next year

Digitimes report, which seems to be drawing a lot of conclusions from minimal information, suggests that Apple may be planning a return to glass-on-glass touchscreens for next year’s iPhones. Apple used so-called G/G technology for its early iPhones, switching to in-cell tech for the iPhone 5 onward.

The short piece suggests that the move is mostly motivated by supply constraints for higher-resolution in-cell displays, but also suggests that the rumored plan could be geared towards bezel-free displays. Glass suppliers Corning and Asahi are said to have sent samples to Apple.

G/G touch panels may also help Apple develop bezel-free smartphones as in-cell touch panels reportedly are struggling with touch sensitivity on the edges.

The reasoning here appears to be that as touch sensors are limited to the size of the display, this can result in reduced sensitivity at the edges. G/G displays allow the sensor layer to extend beyond the edges of the display, making them more suitable for edge-to-edge glass designs.

However, Apple originally made the switch to in-cell touchscreens as they allow displays to be thinner and lighter. For now, we’re filing this one under ‘interesting but unsubstantiated rumor.’

Via GforGames

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Comments

  1. they’re definitely going for it, cuz if we add OLED ability to reduce bezels with this old but better technology, Jony Ive must be cooking up something great

  2. jedimindtrick99 - 9 years ago

    Every year Apple out does themselves and every year they get my money, damn Devils

  3. Neil Quinn (@neilq5) - 9 years ago

    Would having a bezel-free device not cause accidental touches if you have the phone gripped in your hand? I guess they’d have the software account for that but it’s just something I’ve always wondered

  4. Marklewood at Serenity Lodge - 9 years ago

    I like it.

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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