Taiwanese Suppliers Gearing Up for Launch of iPhone 5 in August

Taipei, June 27, 2012 (CENS)--Taiwan component suppliers revealed yesterday (June 26) that Apple may roll out iPhone 5 mobile phone in August, earlier than market expectation, in order to tap the return-to-school business opportunities in the U.S. As a result, Apple may begin to take delivery of the components for the product from Taiwanese suppliers, including Foxlinkm, Unimicron, Compeq, Largan, and Genius, while Hon Hai will serve as the exclusive assembly firm.

With the European debt crisis overshadowing the busy season for consumer electronics in the third quarter, Apple has decided to advance the launch of iPhone 5 to tap business opportunities. Industry insiders noted that the supply chain for iPhone 5 will begin to activate in July before expanding shipment in August. Apple has called for suppliers to speed up shipment, overstraining the status of delivery.

In response to the changes from iPhone 4S to iPhone 5, Taiwanese supply chain will also undergo a reshuffle. For the sake of its thin body, iPhone 5 will embrace in-cell touch panel, as a result of which F-TPK will exit the supply chain. F-TPK noted that whatever the development of in-cell touch panel, it has prepared to diversify its customers and products. The rollout of Win 8 in the second half will boost strong demand for medium- and large-sized touch panels, enabling the company to achieve robust growth.

iPhone 5 will feature stronger Siri function, a body thinner than iPhone 4S, and a larger screen. There will be major changes in the design for connection wire and connector, which will stimulate procurement by consumers.

iPhone 5 will enter the era of 4G communications, leading to greater need for power amplifier, which will integrate with converter, in order to achieve the features of lightness and thinness. Major supplier Skyworks will score even stronger momentum in shipment.