A new report from Japanese newspaper Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun [Google Translation] says Apple display partner Sharp will begin manufacturing LCD panels for the iPhone 5S starting in June at its Kameyama Plant No. 1 in Japan.
The site notes that Apple also sent orders to both Japan Display and LG Display, with mass production already under way, which confirms a report last month from The Wall Street Journal that suggested iPhone 5S production would begin in the second quarter.
While it had been believed earlier in the year that iPhone 5S production would start up in March for a summer release, Apple has been reported to be facing production challenges that have delayed the ramp up. According to the usually reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, work on the fingerprint sensor he says will be included in the iPhone 5S resulted in a later-than-expected start for production. He reported the delay in April.
Apple’s iPhone 5S is rumored to share the same design as the current iPhone 5, but is said to include a number of improvements, among them the fingerprint sensor and a better camera.
