Smartphones are getting sleeker and slimmer with each passing day as OEMs vie with each other to come up with the thinnest offering.

Now, Sharp has revealed that it has started the mass production of in-cell type touch displays. What does this mean? Even thinner smartphones in the future!

The in-cell type touch displays from the Japanese company are an amalgamation of an LCD and touch sensor. Traditionally, these parts are fitted independently on smartphones as smartphone screens have an LCD layer with the touch sensor attached.

By integrating the two parts together, Sharp has managed to free up space, a scarcity when it comes to mobile devices. This will give OEMs more scope for creativity.

"Most current displays for smartphones consist of an LCD on which a touch sensor is attached. The in-cell type touch display, however, has the touch sensor function built into the LCD, thus enabling thinner and lighter displays. This also gives more design freedom to smartphone manufacturers," said Sharp.

Thanks to this new technology by Sharp, we can look forward to slimmer and lighter smartphones since the components will become lighter. This would also maximize space, so OEMs could look to incorporate a bigger, more powerful battery.

The iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6 displays have been developed by Sharp as well.

The in-cell type touch displays are reportedly being produced at the company's Mie Plant No. 3 and deploy the Low-Temperature Poly Silicone (LTPS) technology. The company is also exploring the possibility of producing the displays at its Kameyama Plant No. 2 since doing so would enable it to meet demands, as well as user requirements such as size of the screen, bezel slimness, and resolution, among others.

Additionally, Sharp is also in the process of developing the new in-cell type touch technology in medium size for use in tablets and notebook PCs. If the company's plans are successful, then we could not only see slimmer smartphones but also tablets. The medium-size display would enable Sharp to utilize the IGZO technology to its full potential.