As with any new Apple product, rumors start flying months before the device’s release and the next iPhone isn’t any different. Today alone, we have two rumors, one that continues to rear its head. The first is the use of a new display technology. DigiTimes is reporting that Apple will be switching to a new “in-cell” touch panel display, which will be manufactured by both Sharp and Toshiba Mobile Display. Essentially, what this means, is that Apple’s displays will be much thinner than they are right now. Currently, Apple uses “on-cell” touch panel displays, which places the “touch sensors” above the cells, where as in the new display, the sensor will be placed inside of the cells, thus eliminating a an entire layer.
As for the exterior of the new iPhone and the rumor that keep coming up, the one about Apple planing to ditch the glass backing currently found on the iPhone 4 /4S and reverting back to a more industrial, metal backing like the first generation iPhone. According to a few sources, Apple will be using “Liquid Metal” for the back of its new iPhone.
What exactly is Liquid Metal and what does it mean for the new iPhone?
Liquid Metal is a compound metal material created by the California Institute of Technology and is comprised of metals like titanium, nickel, copper, and zirconium, and a few others. The end result is a metal that is lighter than plastic, yet incredibly strong, stretch resistant, extremely thin and as smooth as glass, or in this case, liquid, which is where the metal got its name. By using liquid metal for the iPhone casing, the device can be much thinner, strong and hopefully protect the device if dropped, obviously it won’t shatter like glass.
When you combine a liquid metal casing with the new in-cell touch display, it is possible we could see the thinnest smartphone ever created, if not, it will be much thinner than any iPhone before it