The highly-anticipated iPhone 5 may have a thinner glass lens. A new report claims that the supposed glass lens for the iPhone 5 is 0.1 mm thinner than that of the iPhone 4S.

Early in August, ETrade Supply published photos of what it claims to be the glass lens for the iPhone 5. The glass lens, as measured by the parts distributor, is 0.90 mm thick.

At present, the iPhone 4S uses two layers of glass. One of these layers is the film layer for the touch-screen. The other one is the protective glass panel, that resist scratches. Combined, the glass lens for the Apple device accounts for 1mm of its 0.37 inch depth.

How may Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) achieve this whole new level of thinness? According to Forbes contributor Susan Kalla, Apple may use a new LCD technology. She refers to the new oxide semiconductor (IGZO) technology developed jointly by Sharp Corporation (TYO: 6753), which supplies screen for Apple devices, and the Semiconductor Energy Laboratory.

"The display screen for the iPhone 5 could reduce a layer of glass if the metallic layer for the touch screen is applied to the protective glass," wrote Kalla.

The IGZO oxide semiconductor technology was unveiled earlier in June by Sharp at the international conference of Society for Information Display.

The technology allows for "narrower bezel widths" for LCD display panels used in mobile devices like the iPhone and other smartphones.

According to a report on PhysOrg, this technology "enables even smaller thin-film transistors to be achieved and provides higher performance" as well as "higher resolutions, lower power consumption, and higher performance touch screen."

If Apple adapts to this technology, it will come as no surprise as its developer had expected it to be use in LCD displays for smartphones, recognizing the "increasingly strong" trend for higher screen resolutions in such portable devices.

Apple may face some bumps, though. When Sharp unveiled it two months ago, it candidly admitted that the technology comes with challenges "to commercialization remain in terms of both service life and production." However, it was upbeat on the technology as Sharp, with the Semiconductor Energy Laboratory, "will continue to push ahead with R&D in anticipation of future market needs."

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