Report: 6.1-inch iPhone to use ‘Full Active LCD’ with ultra-small bezels, launch in late November

Chance Miller | Jul 27 2018 - 7:59 pm PT

While we’ve long known that Apple is planning to introduce a budget-friendly 6.1-inch LCD iPhone this year, a report this evening indicates the device will feature a “Full Active LCD” from Japan Display…

According to a report from supply chain outlet Macotakara, the 6.1-inch iPhone will use a Full Active Display from Japan Pixels that features a “Japan Pixel Eyes” touch sensor. With a Full Active Display, manufacturers are able to achieve ultra-small bezels, down to as low as 0.5mm. For comparison, the iPhone X features around a 1mm bezel.

Today’s report indicates that the 6.1-inch iPhone will feature a “four side narrow frame,” but doesn’t offer details on just how narrow those bezels will be. Past reports and renders have indicated that the 6.1-inch LCD model will actually feature larger bezels than the OLED models, but today’s seemingly contradicts previous ones.

This isn’t the first we have heard about iPhones adopting such a display technology. A report from The Wall Street Journal last year indicated that Apple was working with Japan Display on such technology, though it was unclear at the time when the tech would make its way to the iPhone.

The type of LCD screens used in today’s iPhones typically require a border area of several millimetres, and cannot be curved, meaning that a noticeable bezel area can’t be avoided. But Full Active LCD panels require even smaller borders than the 1mm-ish of today’s OLED ones.

Furthermore, the report suggests that Apple is facing production issues with the 6.1-inch iPhone. Mass production is said to have started this month, but that “perfect product rate” is far lower than the company had intended. Thus, Macotakara says Apple will be forced to push the release of the 6.1-inch model into November, corroborating a report form earlier this week.

The 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is said to be the most affordable model introduced by Apple this year. Read our full rumor roundup on the device right here.

Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: