Trying to get your hands on an iPhone 5? Apparently you're not alone, with shortages being reported from coast to coast and analysts pointing the finger at Apple's new in-cell display technology.
AppleInsider is reporting that Apple's new in-cell touch displays appear to be the "key issue" with Cupertino being able to get ahead of consumer demand with the iPhone 5, with only 10 million of the screens said to be available for the current quarter.
According to Barclays analyst Ben A. Reitzes, the constraints should begin to lift in the next quarter, when a "significant ramp" is expected.
"We still believe Apple is facing significant production constraints due to a move toward in-cell display technology, which pushes a significant amount of units into the December and March quarters -- a factor which limited sales this past weekend according to our checks," Reitzes told investors on Tuesday.
In-cell technology allows the touch sensor to be fused with the LCD panel, allowing the screen to appear even closer to the surface of the glass than ever before. LG Display Co. and Japan Display Inc. are believed to be the manufacturers of the new panels.
Reitzes also predicts Apple will sell more than 45 million iPhones once production ramps up in the fourth quarter, forecasting 22 percent year over year growth for the iconic handset.
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