iFixit recent teardown of iPod touch 6 revealed the absence of sapphire covered lens, reported Apple Insider.
Despite upgrading the rear camera resolution to 8 megapixel, making it more comparable to the iPhone 6, the scratch resilient sapphire lens cover was missing.
According to the Apple Insider report, Apple’s intention to lower manufacturing cost was the main reason it removed the more expensive sapphire “to keep prices down and profits up.”
Other market insiders speculated GT Advanced Technology (GTAT) abrupt bankruptcy in early October 2014 strained Apple’s sapphire supply, and resulted in the missing sapphire glass covers on the new iPod Touch 6, reported cnbeta.
Prior to GTAT’s sudden bankruptcy filing, it had signed a five-year contract worth $578 million as Apple’s exclusive sapphire supplier. Many industry analysts forecasted at the time sapphire-screened glass would be featured in the iPhone 6.
The partnership turned sour when Apple refused to use GTAT’s sapphire in the iPhone 6, stating the sapphire crystal quality did not meet its criteria. According to GTAT, Apple’ decision to make the iPhone 6 sapphire screen-free led to its bankruptcy.
