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Apple’s 5.5-inch iPhone 6 phablet launch has reportedly been delayed

Updated Sep 9th, 2014 1:30PM EDT
iPhone 6 Release Date

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Apple’s first iPhone phablet – the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 version rumored to launch later this year – may be delayed until 2015 according to a new report from Taiwan’s Business TimesApple is apparently facing some supply chain issues with the device, though we have seen similar reports ahead of Apple’s iPhone launches every year. The publication says the iPhone maker needs significantly thinner batteries for its bigger iPhone, at least when compared to previous-generation devices, and suppliers are currently struggling to meet that demand.

The report says the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will need a battery that’s just 2mm thick, or one-third thinner than batteries from competing devices, which typically measure 2.8mm or 2.9mm.

The iPhone 6 is going to be even thinner than the iPhone 5s, an analyst with an accurate track record reporting on unreleased Apple devices said. The phone will have a profile of anywhere between 6.5mm to 7.0mm, compared to the iPhone 5s, which is 7.6mm thick.

Even though the internal battery is apparently supposed to be much thinner, it’s also supposed to offer 50% to 70% more watt-hours than the iPhone 5s, according to the same analyst, who also revealed that the 5.5-inch model was on track to launch in late 2014.

While the new report from Taiwan can’t be confirmed at this time, it’s not unusual to see rumors suggest Apple is having manufacturing issues with a certain component ahead of a new iPhone launch.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.