Apple’s new iPhone 6 is anticipated to hit the market in 3Q14, according to the United Evening News. The new model will have a larger screen than past iPhones at 5.5 inches. It has been rumored that the iPhone 6 will be priced at US$100 higher, due to the larger screen size and change in specs. 

Apple has recently shown interest in sapphire material. If the company decides to use sapphire substrate in display panels of new products, the sapphire substrate industry can expect a boom to follow.  

Apple has already begun testing polished sapphire substrate panels, according to a sapphire substrate manufacturer. It is reported that the company has already sampled around 10,000 to 20,000 phones. If the company uses sapphire substrate in the new iPhone 6, the market will inevitably run out of raw materials for procurement. Taiwanese manufacturers therefore might enter the supply chain indirectly through market sales. 

Apple plans to launch around 10 million high-end sapphire cover glass smartphones. It is estimated that material demand will reach 1.5 million to 1.8 million pieces for 2-inch production capacity each month.