iPhone 5 Rumored to Have a Curved Glass Screen

Whispers from Taiwan suggest that a curved glass touchscreen will be gracing the fifth-generation iPhone from Apple, dubbed the iPhone 5.

Technology news site DigiTimes reported today that sources in Apple’s supply chain have been talking about a major purchase of glass-cutting machines recently made by Apple. Apple has reportedly purchased up to 300 of the machines, which are used by glass manufacturers to create curved glass which can then be used for the iPhone’s display. Apple was purchasing the machines because glass makers are reportedly “reluctant to commit such an investment” in this equipment due to the high cost involved.

According to the DigiTimes report, “The glass slicing machines are currently being stored at associated assembly plants and will be brought online once yield rates for the production of curved glass reaches a satisfactory level.”

Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone has been rumored to be launching later than the iPhone’s usual early summer launch window, reportedly as late as September. As the launch is still months away, suppliers still have limited knowledge of the timeframe required for volume production. It has been widely reported that Apple is still working on items such as the phone’s camera sensor and lamination, and now the possibility of a curved glass display.

The next iPhone would not be the first major smartphone to launch with a curved display. Google’s Nexus S handset, which is produced by Samsung, launched with a curved glass display and the new “Gingerbread” operating system last December. By most reports, the “contour display” has been well-received by owners of the handset.

Other recent iPhone-related rumors suggest that the rear-facing camera lens and flash are being separated to opposite sides of the device. The goal for this is to reduce “red eye” and other artifacts caused by having the flash so close to the lens. Apple may also be looking to increase the size of the display, possibly to around 4 inches, by extending it nearly to the edges of the device. The resolution of the display – known as a “retina display” – would remain the same. Of course, none of these rumors, or today’s reports of the new curved glass display, are confirmed by Apple.