Apple is expected to debut the iPhone 5 next week but now reports are saying that one of its components manufacturers are having difficulties making the screen of the next-generation device.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Sharp is having “manufacturing difficulties” with the iPhone 5 screen.

Citing unnamed sources “familiar with the situation,” the publication says that Sharp has delayed the start of mass production of LCD screens that will go into the next smartphone from the Cupertino, California-based iPhone-maker.

Furthermore, Sharp still does not have a definite date when it can start shipping iPhone 5 screens to assembly plants contracted by Apple, the publication says.

The news comes after LG has said during the third week of August that it has started mass producing “in-cell” displays.

Apple has been long-rumored to make use of “in-cell” displays for the iPhone 5. “In-cell” displays are thinner than other types of displays because it doesn’t use as many layers.

The layer used for touch input has been removed as touch detection has been integrated into other layers.

Because it is thinner, this type of display makes more room for components.

Apple is expected to include 4G LTE capability to its iPhone 5. The inclusion of this  feature generally requires more components.

Furthermore, 4G LTE will also add to the power consumption of the device which means that the iPhone 5 needs to have a bigger battery to live up to the reputation of Apple devices as having long battery lives.

On the other hand, a thinner display may also mean that the iPhone 5 will be less thicker than the current-generation iPhone 4S.

However, because it is a new technology, manufacturers have run into difficulties making “in-cell” displays specifically with achieving optimum yield rates.

Meanwhile, LG Display and Japan Display have started shipping iPhone 5 screens, the Journal says.

The publication notes that it is unclear whether the delay at Sharp will also result in difficulties for LG Display and Japan Display.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5 on September 12, a date supported by various sites.

Apple is said to incorporate a larger 4-inch screen into the iPhone 5. Since its introduction in 2007, iPhones have always been equipped with a 3.5-inch display. Apple, however, has increased the resolution of the display of the device.

Steve Jobs is said to have “worked closely” on the iPhone 5 design.

Image from Martin uit Utrecht & Krishnakumar photography on Flickr (CC)

About Solon Harmony Dolor

A passion for technology and journalism makes this upcoming writer very interested in social media and technology news. Fresh from finishing an English and Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, he aims to bring interesting news to our readers .