The iPhone 6's most anticipated feature may not be available to most consumers who are looking to nab the upcoming device, according to the Wall Street Journal.
"People familiar with the matter" have informed the publication that Apple plans to debut sapphire glass displays in both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models - but only the most expensive, premium variants.
The decision would be a first for Apple, and as the article's author, Daisuke Wakabayashi, notes, the sapphire displays may only be packed into the device if Apple "can get enough of the material."
WSJ calculates that the sapphire iPhone screen would cost $16 to produce - significantly more expensive than the $3 cost for the Corning Gorilla Glass used on the rest of Apple's iPhone lineup.
In a report published a couple weeks ago, LEDinside analysts from market researcher Trendforce noted that they have not seen enough orders for sapphire glass passing through the supply chains to suggest the device will have a large-scale rollout in time for the September release anticipated for the 4.7-inch model:
"The sapphire material is still being applied in new generation Apple smartphones camera lenses and fingerprint recognition readers. If the new iPhone keeps up Apple's previous smartphone models hot selling records, sapphire demands will be driven by the smartphone's applications till the end of this year. However, the much anticipated sapphire cover glass remains missing from the picture. Analysis of the iPhone 6 supply chain indicates related component suppliers need to ship products to OEMs for assembly in June 2014 to meet the September launch date. Yet, the research institute did not discover demands for smartphone cover glass. The sapphire glass version new iPhone will be issued in limited volumes this year, mostly because sapphire ingot manufacturers yield rates were lower than forecasts and issues involved in sapphire glass processing."
The analysts did add, however, that it is still possible Apple could opt to release an iPhone with sapphire glass in limited numbers.
Cult of Mac recently reported those looking to get their hands on the "almost indestructible" sapphire glass would have to shell out enough dough for the 64GB model.
With various reports suggesting Apple may not be able to produce enough of the sapphire displays to meet initial demand, it is entirely possible that only the most expensive iPhone models could include the feature. While some believe it could be limited exclusively to the 64GB version of the 5.5-inch model, Cult of Mac calculates that it's more likely the 64GB variants of both sizes (4.7 and 5.5 inches) will get the sapphire glass.
Specs rumors for the sixth-generation iPhone include an Apple A8, Near Field Communication (NFC) for mobile payments, Touch ID and an improved camera.
