Apple orders more iPhone touchscreens

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 27 June 2007 02:20

Your IT - Mobility

Apple has stepped up its orders for touchscreens from German supplier Balda, apparently due to anticipated demand combined with problems at another supplier.

German newspaper Handelsblatt has reported that Apple has increased its orders with Balda, which is known to be in the process of ramping up touchscreen production in China. A Balda spokesperson would not comment on the company's dealings with Apple.

Balda did issue the following statement: "We would like to take the opportunity to point out that we do not comment on market rumors. Likewise Balda does not, for fundamental reasons, comment on possible customers, suppliers and other partners or on their business development, and disassociates itself from respective rumors."

According to the report, there are supply problems at Sharp, which is experiencing low yields from its touchscreen assembly process.

Apple has said it expects to sell around 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008, but there have been rumours that as many as 3 million will be in stock when the phone goes on sale this Friday (June 29).