Shipment volumes of the display panels used in Apple’s new iPhone 5s are expected to reach 10-15 million units in the third quarter of 2013, according to industry sources cited by Digitimes. Primary Apple supplier Sharp is expected to produce 7 million units, with LG Display and Japan Display expected to pick up the rest of the orders for the recently announced device.
In addition to Sharp, LG Display and Japan Display are expected to pick up the rest of the orders, making the three companies the main panel suppliers for the iPhone 5s, the sources said.
Additionally, more than 20 million panels for the device are expected to be shipped in the fourth quarter of 2013, the sources said.
The report also states that display panel orders for the lower-cost iPhone 5c are expected to reach 30 million units in the fourth quarter, with analysts suggesting that the high volume of panel shipments for the iPhone 5c may signal an expectation set by Apple for the mid-range device to do well in the region.
Market observers added that panel shipments for the iPhone 5c are expected to surpass those of the iPhone 5s, showing that Apple is more optimistic about growth in the mid-range handset segment in markets such as China.
Previously, it was reported that iPhone 5s production would be limited to 3-4 million units in Q3 2013 due to shortages of the device’s fingerprint sensor, which Apple is touting as a key feature. Additionally, a report earlier this year stated that Apple had sent orders for LCD panels for the iPhone 5S to all three companies in June, with Japan Display gearing up production levels as of last month.
The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will go on sale in nine countries on September 20, with the iPhone 5c available for pre-order on September 13. Apple is not accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 5s.
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