Apple's new iPhones head for assembly lines next month: sources
Two models, including a 5.5-inch version, will enter mass production next month, sources say
Apple's suppliers will begin mass production of new iPhones in China next month, according to people familiar with the plans of the US smartphone giant.
Apple is getting ready for its annual unveiling of new iPhones, with bigger screens beyond the 4 inches of its current iPhone 5s after rivals including Samsung Electronics and HTC released smartphones with displays that are as large as 5.7 inches.
Consumers have been gravitating toward larger-screen devices - in China, 40 per cent of mobile gadgets based on Google's Android operating system that were sold in 2014 had display sizes of more than 5 inches, according to an estimate from Forrester Research.
Apple's iPhone generates more than half of the company's annual revenue. Last year, the smartphone produced US$91 billion in revenue alone, more than the total sales of Oracle, Yahoo!, Facebook and Twitter combined. Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris declined to comment.
The new iPhones will also be rounder and thinner than previous models, said one of the people. Production of the 5.5- inch model is more complicated than the smaller version, resulting in lower production efficiency that must be overcome before manufacturing volume can be increased, said the person.
Apple is developing new iPhone designs including bigger screens with curved glass and enhanced sensors that can detect different levels of pressure. Called 2.5-dimension glass, the material lets manufacturers taper the edges of the screen.
Apple has introduced new features for the software powering the iPhone and iPad in a bid to add more functions and utility to the devices. The company's new iOS 8 mobile software has capabilities that enable people to use the gadgets to monitor their health and remotely control locks and lights for their home.
