Fingerprint Sensor Shortages Limiting iPhone 5S Production to 3-4 Million Units This Quarter

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Posted August 12, 2013 at 2:35pm by iClarified Staff

The iPhone 5S has been rumored to have a fingerprint sensor for sometime now, with recent reports suggesting that it could sit under the home button with a raised surfaced. Digitimes today is reporting that production of the iPhone 5S will be limited to 3-4 million units in Q3 2013 due to a shortage of the fingerprint sensors that will be used in the device.

Production of Apple's next iPhone, commonly referred to be the iPhone 5S and is scheduled to be unveiled on September 10, could reach only 3-4 million units in the third quarter of 2013 compared to 10 million units as originally planned due to a delay in production of fingerprint sensors needed for the iPhone 5S, according to industry sources.

Mass production of the fingerprint sensors was originally scheduled to begin in May at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and then to be packaged at Xintec, a TSMC subsidiary, the sources indicated.

However, the production of the sensors has been delayed due to issues related to integration between iOS 7 and fingerprint chips, as well as a low yield rate at packaging firm Xintec, the sources revealed.

Reportedly, the delay is caused by issues related to integration between the sensor and iOS 7 software. The sources claim that Apple and its suppliers will be able to ramp up production at the end of August for the sensors, resulting in production of the iPhone 5S to ramp up to 28-30 million units in Q4 2013, just in time for the holiday season.

The iPhone 5S is all but confirmed for a September 10 announcement -- where Apple could also unveil an iPhone 5C.

Fingerprint Sensor Shortages Limiting iPhone 5S Production to 3-4 Million Units This Quarter

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Vic - August 13, 2013 at 8:49am

You don't have any galaxies

justabrake - August 13, 2013 at 3:20am

I hope apple implements saved passwords with this fingerprint software and not only use it to unlock the screen

Vic - August 12, 2013 at 8:39pm

They honestly just need to make a bigger screen. I'm using a galaxy S4 coming from an iphone 5 and the screen is the only thing it has on the iphone. Everything else on android sucks.

Randy - August 12, 2013 at 8:40pm

^agreed

Eduardo - August 12, 2013 at 9:09pm

I agree as well and better battery life. That's it.

dlink378 - August 13, 2013 at 4:22am

galaxy s4 screen is way too big for me. I think 4.3" or 4.5" is ideal size, although 4" is already good enough. no need for 1080p, overkill for a smartphone and you cannot see the difference from your eyes, except you use a microscope to see your phone screen.

Randy - August 13, 2013 at 4:31am

^again, it's a preference issue.

Zack soule - August 12, 2013 at 6:43pm

Can I get in line now and not get it

Gbkolev - August 12, 2013 at 6:33pm

Yes, who?...

amdnet99 - August 12, 2013 at 5:51pm

who cares?????

Ihatewin8 - August 12, 2013 at 4:10pm

Another trick to raise the demand for iPhone 5S and then selling 5C beside it Why they can't just postponed the launching the 5s until they have enough fingerprint sensor ?

Randy - August 12, 2013 at 3:39pm

Been an iPhone user since iPhone3g. So disappointed apple hasn't jumped onto the "bigger screen" market. If all they have to offer is a fingerprint sensor I may just try out a Samsung s4 or note 3 for the hell of it.

Homo-sapien - August 12, 2013 at 5:48pm

I'm actually glad they haven't jumped onto the "bigger screen" bandwagon - its part of the reason why I would upgrade mine. How big of a screen do you need? Have you seen the Galaxy Note III? HAVE YOU SEEN IT?? Of course you have, you can see that screen from mars.

Eduardo - August 12, 2013 at 9:11pm

That is a huge phone but we're not talking about anything that big. Yuck. Just slightly wider as well and better battery life. That's not too much to ask.

Swede - August 12, 2013 at 3:03pm

Q4 2014?

mateen - August 12, 2013 at 4:14pm

Whoops! Thanks for pointing that out. Fixed.

Johnny Cage - August 12, 2013 at 2:55pm

...Bring it on.