The iPhone 6 falls into the cycle of Apple’s mobile device which has usually seen most innovation and change, and if sources are correct, the iPhone 6 could feature a glass display which could be used for solar charging.
It all stems originally from an interview Tim Cook gave ABC in which he touched on the new Sapphire Glass plant Apple recently opened in Arizona. Although not too many hints were given in the interview, and in fact when questioned about a larger iPhone with sapphire glass joked about Apple making an iRing instead, it still hasn’t stopped speculation that the iPhone 6 could feature such technology.
After introducing a fingerprint sensor in the iPhone 5S, Apple could reportedly introduce solar panels into the sapphire glass screen of the iPhone 6.
At least that’s what analyst Matt Margolis expects for the next generation device, stating that the solar panels in the sapphire glass screen can be used to enhance the battery life of the handset.
To support this claim, Margolis highlights that Apple filed a patent back in February 2013 which included the use of touch sensors and solar panels. A follow-up patent explored how that technology would be implemented, mentioning that the touch screen panel included a power management system which draws power from the solar panels embedded in the device.
iPhone 6
Despite rumours that the iPhone 6 will have a larger display, and consequently create more room for a battery, devices are getting so thin now that it is stretching the battery technology we currently have. As a result, as the devices become more power hungry, the battery life suffers. Incorporating solar panels into the device and allowing the display to draw on power generated by the sensors will inevitably prolong the battery life, allowing the device to charge while being used.
There are many accessories which harness the power of the sun to recharge the device when in use, but incorporating this into the iPhone 6 with the sapphire glass would enable native solar panel charging without any additional accessories.
Let us know what you guys think. Do you think Apple could include solar panels in the iPhone 6? Drop us a comment below.