Is Apple REALLY Releasing Solar-Powered iPhone 6 With Sapphire Glass Panel In 2014?
Apple has apparently been working on ensuring that the iPhone 6 will be one of the most impressive smartphones to date with a sapphire screen that's solar-powered.
By Sadho Ram — 01 Feb 2014, 04:30 PM — Updated almost 11 years ago
A new report suggests that Apple not only plans to use sapphire glass for the iPhone 6 but that the sapphire glass will also function as a solar charging panel for the device
Recent reports claimed the company is incorporating solar power into its devices, including iPhone 6. The upcoming flagship smartphone will feature sapphire screen, solar power and improved battery life.
The tiny solar panels will help recharge the iPhone battery when exposed to a strong source of light.
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In a well-organized post from investor blog Seeking Alpha, Matt Margolis put analyzed the reported sapphire technology for iPhone 6
The post argued the mix of job postings, equipment request and patents that support Apple's venture into protective sapphire covers.
seekingalpha.com
It is possible to see iPod and iPhone screens using the technology.
There’s no telling whether or not we’ll see a sapphire glass solar-charged iPhone in the future, but there are certain clues to support this notion
In September 2013, Apple posted a job opening for a "Thin Films Engineer" who had extensive experience with thin-film technologies in either semiconductor processing or solar industries.
Then in October 31, 2013, Apple was granted a new solar touch screen patent that would allow Apple to power a device, without the need of a "boost converter". Apple actually states that "the electronic devices that will be able to take advantage of Apple's new solar panel include a MacBook, iPad, iPod touch and iPhone."
cnet.comIn November 2013, a partnership was announced with GT Advanced Technologies to open a Sapphire Materials facility in Mesa, AZ. Last week Apple began posting jobs openings for the Mesa location.
iclarified.comPrototypes of an iPhone sporting a sapphire glass display could already be in production, according to PhoneArena
PhoneArena reports that a Foxconn factory in Shenzen has assembled 100 prototypes of a next-generation iPhone that swaps out Gorilla Glass for a sapphire glass display.
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Sapphire glass is said to be about three times as durable as Corning Gorilla Glass, which is commonly used on many of today’s flagship smartphones.
However, displays based on sapphire glass are still too expensive to be implemented on a commercial scale, and until now the technology has been primarily used in aerospace, military and medical devices.
phonearena.com
The addition of a sapphire glass display on the iPhone could make a lot of sense for Apple
Competitors such as Samsung and LG are taking the curved display route to keep their smartphone screens more durable while simultaneously introducing a new, innovative design.
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The sapphire glass display could be Apple’s approach at achieving similar functionality for the iPhone.
Although there are doubts regarding the report. The most obvious form of skepticism comes with acknowledging that Margolis may not be the most reputable source simply because he is not a super well-known analyst.
24/7 Wall St. points out that the solar powered phone seems a possibility as Apple struggles to rule the smartphone industry, but that doesn't mean that Apple will use the sun to do so.
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"The new iPhone does not need the ability to use solar power to radically change the smartphone industry..." the website says.
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"...What makes the iPhone rumor unimportant is that new features are not what will carry Apple's flagship forward. Analysts who hope for huge sales in China have a much more accurate view of what could make the iPhone the market leader again."
247wallst.com
According to Forbes, an iPhone 6 with solar cells is not likely because the technology is not advanced enough yet.
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"A thin transparent film with embedded solar cells has very low efficiency in terms of converting light to electricity," Nigam Arorra, a Forbes contributor, wrote.
latinpost.com
"And there is not a significant advantage towards improving battery life. As with all technologies, the efficiency will improve over a period of time. A sapphire screen with a laminate of film containing solar cells is likely in iPhone 7 but not in iPhone 6."
forbes.com