Apple's Alternate Plan For The iPhone 4G / HD

Apple has had a parallel iPhone development process going on in case there were new problems with the new model, according to DigiTimes. Appleinsider reports that the Taiwanese publication is claiming that Apple started work on a phone that “offers less change from previous iPhones” as a backup to the full-blown fourth-generation model. Apple had also considered OLED screens for the new iPhone but decided against it after discovering that Samsung couldn’t deliver the high-quality displays in sufficient quantity.
 Digitimes research senior analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Gizmodo’s iPhone is genuine and that the N90 designator was known by very few people outside the company prior to the leak.” He claims that there was a separate development plan on a product known by the code name “N91” since work on the fourth-generation iPhone began in 2008. He didn’t reveal anything but did mention that the device was similar to the iPhone 3GS in “casing, display, resolution, and digital camera support” amongst other features. Kuo gave no indication tat any of the modifications present a problem that will cause the fourth-generation iPhone’s expected release date to be delayed.

The interview also discussed the possibility of Apple going with the active-matrix organic LED (AMOLED) screens but ended up with an LCD display. Supposedly, Samsung could only promise 50% to 60% of the required number to Apple and at a much higher price than the in-plane switching (IPS) LCDs that the company decided on. Apple also mentioned being unhappy with the sharpness of the display and ended up going with screens similar to those on the iPad.

Kuo also made statements regarding the processor in the new phone, claiming that the same Cortex A8-based A4 from the iPad would be used in the new phone. As far as the rumor about a separate CDMA-based iPhone for Verizon or other carriers, Kuo mentioned that Pegatron is working on such a phone, but it has only reached the Engineer Verification Test stage. He says the phone is likely to be released next year, rather than later this year as has been reported.