[NewsPoster]

Apple's alleged 5.5-inch future iPhone is reportedly running into production obstacles involving its new in-cell touchscreen panel, along with uneven color distribution on its metal casing, claims KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He suggests that while the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 should still debut this fall, the supposed 5.5-inch phone -- of which no real evidence has emerged -- could be pushed later, possibly into 2015. Even the 4.7-inch model is said to be suffering from the same problems, but to a lesser degree.

It's suggested by Kuo - who has an above-average but not flawless track record on speculation -- the that the new touch panels may be having sensitivity issues around their edges. He adds that he doesn't expect 5.5-inch sapphire cover glass to "easily pass the drop test near-term," something that could create further delays. If the rumored 5.5-inch phone is pushed into 2015, it's argued that Apple will be mostly unaffected this holiday season, since it can simply make the 4.7-inch model its flagship and sell cheaper versions of the iPhone 5s and 5c.

There is said to be hope that a 5.5-inch device will ship in 2014, but that could mean after mid-November, which would be the latest-ever launch for a new iPhone. Apple tends to avoid shipping products so late into the year, although it did introduce the current Mac Pro, a non-consumer product, towards the end of December 2013.

[lvavila]

Yeah maybe pushed to 2016, 2017, oh sh*t it was never made!

[Jeronimo2000]

" although it did introduce the current Mac Pro, a non-consumer product, towards the end of December 2013"

Yeah, right. They shipped a handful on December 30th to make good on the "available in late 2013" promise, and the Mac Pro only became properly "available" some time last spring.