A problem with the production of screens for the iPhone 6 has manufacturers rushing to meet the smartphone's expected September launch window, according to a Reuters report.
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The problem stemmed from Apple's desire to create a thinner screen for their upcoming addition to the iPhone line. The original design only included one layer of backlight film to help acheive this, and when the resulting product wasn't bright enough, production was delayed for part of June and July while the screen was redesigned to include the standard second layer. Sources from Apple's suppliers told Reuters that production has since resumed, though the pace has increased to account for the delay.
Rumors have it that Apple is set to announce the iPhone 6 on Sept. 9 and that the phone will come in two sizes – one with a 4.7-inch screen and another with a 5.5-inch screen – both of which are increases over the iPhone 5's 4-inch screen. Most companies involved are being predictibly tight-lipped about whether this setback will either delay the launch of the iPhone 6 or just force them to have a limited supply after launch. Talking to Reuters, a representative from Pegatron, which assembles products for Apple, said this kind of supply shortage for components is not uncommon and "the impact on production is negligible."
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According to the report, another manufacturing issue regarding a design choice meant to make the iPhone 6's screen thinner had previously held up the production of the 5.5-inch model, but those issues have apparently been resolved as well.