Apple's Plan To Introduce In-Cell Technology In iPhone Would Have A Limited Impact on TPK, Chairman TPK
Chairman of TPK Holdings Co Ltd. Michael Chiang mentioned in an answer to a shareholder’s question that Apple’s plan to introduce In-Cell technology in upcoming iPhone would have limited impact on the company. TPK Holdings is Apple’s one of the leading touch module supplier and the company generated almost 76% of their profit (Total profit — $1.37B) from Apple products during last quarter only. Rumors about introduction of In-Cell technology in upcoming iPhone started last month. This technology would allow Apple to make upcoming iPhones slimmer than currently available iPhone 4S. Report from last month noted that ”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,”.
Last month, AppleInsider also noted that “Assuming the rumor is true, current touch-panel suppliers could be impacted by the change. For instance, the report noted TPK holdings and Wintek as having focused on “glass on glass touch solutions,” rather than in-cell technology.”
But chairman of the company thinks otherwise, in a reply to one shareholder’s question Mr. Chiang said:
“We do not think any single [touch] technology will replace all technologies,” “The touch industry is booming, which means the pie is becoming bigger.”
TPK board recently approved sale of 30 million new common shares in order to expand their manufacturing facility. The company is expecting huge orders from multiple companies as Microsoft is preparing to release their Windows 8 operating system for touch enabled devices later this year. Mr. Chiang mentioned that recent messages from their clients indicate they will have more business during this year.
“we will have more customers and more applications [products] this year.”
Mr. Chiang’s response, however, gives us a hint that In-Cell technology option for next-gen iPhone is definitely on the table right now. But this is not the only option, recent reports have also suggested that Sharp’s latest IGZO technology could also be used in next iteration of iPhone.
Apple’s 6th generation iPhone is due for launch in September-October time frame later this year.
We will keep you updated on this, stay tuned!
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Source: Taipei Times
