Force Touch Panels Enter Mass Production Ahead of 'iPhone 6s' Launch

As the launch of the so-called "iPhone 6s" and "iPhone 6s Plus" inches closer, suppliers have begun shipping Force Touch panels for the next-generation smartphones, according to DigiTimes. The report claims that Apple's supply chain partners started shipping Force Touch panels in limited quantities in June before ramping up production of the pressure-sensitive modules in July.

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Taipei Times vaguely reported that Apple's touch panel supplier TPK expects widespread adoption of pressure sensors, presumably for Force Touch, later this year. Force Touch, an existing Apple Watch and MacBook feature, is a pressure-sensitive technology that will enable future iPhones to distinguish between a light tap and deep press and complete different actions accordingly.

Taiwan-based website DigiTimes has a mixed track record at reporting on Apple's upcoming product plans, but its sources within the upstream supply chain have proven reliable in the past. Apple has also announced new iPhones in September or October since the iPhone 4s, so suppliers ramping up Force Touch production is to be expected with less than two months to go.

The "iPhone 6s" and "iPhone 6s Plus" are rumored to feature the same 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes, an A9 processor with 2GB of RAM, Force Touch, a faster Qualcomm LTE chip, an improved 12-megapixel rear-facing camera and 7000 Series aluminum. The overall design of the smartphones will likely be nearly identical to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

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Top Rated Comments

FieldingMellish Avatar
125 months ago
Force touch still sounds like inappropriate behavior.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrisfromalbany Avatar
125 months ago
As Samsung ready's for "Copy Touch" just 6 months later.. ;)
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Madhawk Avatar
125 months ago
Can't wait to upgrade my 4 to the 6s. It's about time...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bryan Bowler Avatar
125 months ago
I can't wait for the new 6s to get here!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nepalisherpa Avatar
125 months ago
can someone clarify does tit actually sense pressure or just the amount of surface area your finger has on the screen
Maybe you should ask your girlfriend/wife? ;) :D Sorry, couldn't resist.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NMBob Avatar
125 months ago
Things are getting awfully complicated.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)