The iPhone 6 sapphire display is looking more and more likely to be one of the phone’s key features.
There have been a load of contradictory rumours about the iPhone 6 sapphire display in the past month or so, but the latest seem to confirm the feature.
Apple already uses sapphire glass in some of its smartphones, including the rear camera and Touch ID equipped home button of the iPhone 5S. That material is thanks to a partnership with GT Advanced Technologies.
Well, GT Advanced Technologies has just announced its financial results for Q2, outlining an $86 million loss due to aligning itself fully with Apple.
However, that huge loss may just be pocket change for the company in the future, as part of the restructuring is due to a huge Apple facility they’ve just opened for Apple.
And of course, the purpose of that facility is to make sapphire panels.
“The build-out of our Arizona facility, which has involved talking a 1.4 million square foot facility from a shell to a functional structure as well as the installation of sapphire growth and fabrication structure as well as the installation of sapphire growth and fabrication equipment, is nearly complete and we are commencing the transition to volume production. We remain confident about the long-term potential of the sapphire materials business for GT”, said GT Advanced Technologies President and Chief Officer, Tom Gutierrez in a statement.
The iPhone 6, both the 4.7- and 5.5-inch models, as well as the iWatch are expected to come with a complete covering of sapphire glass on the display. This would make them a lot more durable and scratch-resistant than previous iPhone models.
GT Advanced Technologies remarked in their earning statement that it has some specific Apple targets to meet in Q3.
“The fourth prepayment from Apple is contingent upon the achievement of certain operational targets by GT. GT expects to achieve these targets and receive the final $139 million prepayment by the end of October 2014.”
Apparently initial manufacturing at the GT Advanced Technologies plant is to start imminently, with mass volume manufacturing to begin soon afterwards.
From the sounds of all of that, a sapphire display for the iPhone 6 is looking pretty likely to us.
Read more: iPhone 5S vs iPhone 6 – What to expect
Via: SlashGear
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
