Apple rumored to adopt in-cell touch panels for 2012 iPhone

Taiwan's DigiTimes cited sources in Apple's supply chain on Friday claiming that Apple could make use of thinner in-cell touch panels from Sharp and Toshiba Mobile Display for its next-generation iPhone. Production of the panels is expected to ramp up in the second quarter of this year.

"An improvement in yield rates of the in-cell touch panels at Sharp and TMD has persuaded Apple to choose to cooperate with Japan-based panel makers," the report said.

DisplaySearch analyst David Hsieh told that, "compared with on-cell technology, touch panels that use in-cell technology can be made thinner because the touch sensors are actually placed inside the color filters rather than on top of them."

The next-generation iPhone is expected to be launched this fall, though, there are some rumors claiming that Apple might released its new smartphone this summer. The handset is expected to feature LTE and a faster processor, as well as Liquidmetal back.