LONDON — The iPhone 5S could be delayed until after June because of problems with a new fingerprint-scanning feature designed by Apple to replace the passcode-based unlocking system on previous models.
A supply chain source in Taiwan said Apple was trying to find a coating material that did not interfere with the fingerprint sensor, and this may be causing a delay.
In addition to the iPhone 5S, suppliers said Apple is also developing a cheaper model, which can appeal to lower-income buyers in emerging markets such as China and India. A supplier source in Japan said small-scale production of display panels will begin in May, ramping up to mass production in June.
Both phones will use the same 4-inch screen, but the cheaper version will probably not include the new fingerprint technology and sport a cheaper plastic casing, the sources said.
Apple has been expected to introduce fingerprint-scanning technology since it acquired biometrics firm AuthenTec last year.
Last month, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said his firm expected the results of that takeover to be revealed this summer with the new iPhone 5S.
He said: “We expect [that] iPhone 5S will have a fingerprint chip under the Home button, improving security and usability.”
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