Sharp says it is making enough Iphone 5 screens to meet demand

DISPLAY MAKER Sharp is making enough displays to service demand for Apple's Iphone 5, according to one of the firm's executives.

Sharp, which doesn't publicly say it supplies Apple but is on the fruit themed gadget designer's supply list, has told Reuters that it is making adequate volumes of screens for the Iphone 5.

Apple's latest smartphone is known to have displays made by LG and Japan Display, with one analyst claiming the two firms can produce eight million Iphone 5 displays each month. According to Deutsche Securities analyst Yasuo Nakane, Sharp adds a further six million displays to that monthly figure.

Analysts claim that Apple's choice of screen on the Iphone 5 is the reason for recent shortages. Apparently Apple's high-resolution Retina display is hard to make and it is even harder to achieve high yields.

After Apple managed to shift five million Iphone 5 units in the first three days, the firm declared that the initial batch of smartphones had all been sold. Apple's comments led to rumours that there would be shortages of the device, fueled by increased lead times on the online Apple Store.

However Apple is going ahead with launching the Iphone 5 in new markets, which means that while Sharp might help increase Iphone 5 supplies, the lead times for those still waiting for a shiny new smartphone could remain long. µ