Display defect may defeat delivery dates.

DigiTimes, which seems to hold the iOSsphere record for knowing more people with friends of relatives working somewhere in the sprawling Far East manufacturing plants that form Apple's supply chain, popping up in some iPhone 5 displays "may influence" shipping dates for the phone.

The iOSsphere correctly realized that "may influence" means "delay." DigiTimes cites "iPhone supply chain makers" as sources for the rumor. The defect, called "delayed bubble," could affect Apple's "ability to meet initial shipment targets for the launch ..." But Wintek, which is one of the display builders, "simply indicated that all of its products are being delivered on schedule."

There's no explanation in the rumor of what "delayed bubble" is or what causes it. DigiTimes simply indicates it's "difficult to avoid during panel production, particularly when the defect is not detected during the process of laminating touch panels, and only later found during assembly."

The story repeated an early estimation rumor that Apple plans to ship 25 million-26 million units of iPhone 5 in the fourth quarter.