Recalling the sapphire substrate in 2013 with the end of apple Optics Valley reborn

Sapphire substrate after more than 2 years of industry trough, in 2013 Apple launched iPhone (Apple) 5 and iPhone 5S used as sapphire substrate lens protection cover and Home key protective cover under the aid, finally face the light. From Apple's recent layout view, the sapphire substrate is not only this, according to the report, the recent release of Apple patent message is expected to import sapphire substrate of flexible OLED, the sapphire substrate factory, this is quite an expected message in 2014.

On sapphire substrate market although the largest engine LED lighting demand is still driving demand of sapphire substrate, sapphire substrate used in intelligent mobile phone needs strength should not be underestimated. According to the latest LEDinside sapphire substrate report estimates, the proportion of non LED market applications in 2014 will reach 36%, of which handheld applications related needs to reach more than 31%. Played by Apple pioneer sapphire substrate material in the intelligent mobile phone, including iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S were used to protect the camera lens cover, HOME key protective cover, with intelligent mobile phone with sapphire substrate material and trend, LEDinside estimates that the sapphire substrate for the HOME bond proportion in 2014 from 4% in 2013 jumped 3 times to 12%; and the sapphire substrate for the camera lens cover is accounted for by 4% in 2013 is expected to rise to 8% in 2014. Sapphire substrate Monocrystal and equipment manufacturers GT Advanced manufacturers Technology (GTAT) LEDforum in 2013 2014 published on sapphire demand and price are picked up with the LEDinside team uniform. More industry more than that, the intelligent mobile phone panel also did not use the success of sapphire substrate materials, therefore, the possibility of the sapphire substrate is not high in 2014. In the past, the sapphire substrate mounted on the mobile phone panel of the high cost of manufacturing is an intelligent mobile phone factory with a large obstacle, however, from the recent apple in the technological breakthrough can be observed, expected may also accelerate the development of technology and change. Apple patent sheds light on the layout of the new apple hit heavily in 2013 signed a cooperation agreement with the GTAT sapphire substrate into mobile phone panel, issued two new patents related to sapphire substrate at the same time the action that the apple for import sapphire substrate material to the mobile phone panel ambitions. According to TechCrunch reports, apple is proposed called "sapphire plate" (Sapphire Laminates) patent application, discusses various methods and the other piece of sapphire sapphire wafer or glass laminated together. The cost of the fabrication method is much lower than that of conventional sapphire production methods. This technique can be used for the assembly of iPhone laminates. Apple hopes to implement this approach to reduce the cost of sapphire substrate, and even the new technology can be applied to wearable devices. More

Another apple announced in December 19, 2013 the patent also makes sapphire substrate industry once again boiling. According to Apple Patently report, apple (Apple) on sapphire substrate used in an attempt to iPhone mobile phone screen is strong, a patent through an application to the European Patent Office is coated on the sapphire substrate in a flexible and transparent device. The patent is to produce a sapphire in a molten metal alloy and can be made into a desired shape.

And importance of this patent is that through direct shaped protective cover shape, effectively reduce the production cost of the sapphire substrate, this approach may be more effective than slice. With the possibility of the future use of sapphire substrate wearable devices increased significantly, can be expected that the new application market is expected to rise to the table. Apple Patently speculated that this technology is quite suitable for use in wearable devices, especially apple iWatch products will be released in 2014. While other media also make iPhone 6 panel may use this new technology speculation. In addition, apple in order to consolidate its sapphire substrate supply source, also in a multi-year supply agreement signed in 2013, the sapphire material and GTAT. LEDinside research department store in super pointed out that Apple's move is to ensure the stability of the supply of sapphire substrate. Under the agreement, GT Advanced Technologies will purchase and use sapphire material production equipment, these devices will be installed in the new plant in Apple Corp. In return, Apple Corp will pay about $578 million to the GT Advanced Technologies, which will begin in 2015 from the Apple Corp to reimburse the relevant expenses for the past 5 years. More but did not enter the apple sapphire substrate supply chain vendors also need not worry too much, it shares by Apple set off the sapphire substrate craze has spread to the LG series of products, LEDinside analysts pointed out that the G2 machine LG also use sapphire substrate material in hot pursuit of iPhone, is expected to have more brand factory follow this trend. LEDinside analysts pointed out that in addition to the intelligent mobile phone and wearable devices, the market of sapphire substrate material of tablet computer also has considerable potential. IPad will be considered by the industry will benefit from the investment of Apple's sapphire substrate, iPad's HOME bond is expected to use sapphire substrate material. Yuan Securities believes that with the fingerprint recognition is expected to become a standard tablet PC, sapphire substrate for HOME bond demand will soar.