Apple is reported to have enough sapphire glass for both iPhone 6 models it will allegedly be releasing in the fall, as well as its much-rumored iWatch that is also expected sometime late this year. This based on a supply chain check at sapphire glass manufacturing partner GT Advanced done by analyst Matt Margolis for Seeking Alpha (via GforGames).
As a result of my most recent supply chain check I believe that the Mesa sapphire operations will have ample supply to cover the iWatch, the 4.7″ iPhone and the 5.5″ iPhone with full sapphire cover glass in 2014. Additionally, the maximum sapphire screen capacity of the Mesa facility is likely to exceed 200m annual units.
Margolis says GT Advanced has more than 2,500 furnaces, and is expected to work with sapphire boules that weigh between 200 and 235 kg. Apple is expected to make its final prepayment to the company by the end of June, which GT will use to finish construction and secure equipment.
The Mesa. Arizona plant could yield anywhere from 100 to 200 million 5-inch sapphire displays. 200 million would equal enough displays for the 4.7-inch iPhone, 5.5-inch iPhone, and the iWatch.
Apple is expected to debut a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 in the fall, with a 5.5-inch iPhone 6 launching later this year. The iWatch is widely expected to debut around October.
(Via MacRumors)
