AppleInsider Staff
Apple is reportedly testing a variety of next-generation iPhones with larger screen sizes, some up to six inches diagonally, though the devices are not expected to roll out at next week's media event.
According to Wall Street Journal reporter Ian Sherr, sources say Apple is experimenting with large-format smartphones, also called "phablets," with display sizes ranging from 4.8 inches to 6 inches akin to products made by rival Samsung.
The sources claim internal discussions are finding Apple more open to launching a phablet iPhone. The company just last year upped the smartphone's screen to a 4-inch panel, the first such change in display size since the iPhone first hit the market in 2007.
Component suppliers say Apple has become particularly interested in the 4.8-inch form factor after recent tests.
The WSJ conveyed identical rumors in July, reporting that larger format iPhones may also be joined by a 13-inch iPad.
During Apple's quarterly conference call in April, CEO Tim Cook was asked about the possibility of an iPhone phablet. He said the company would not ship a device with a larger screen until solutions are found for certain "trade-offs," including battery life, color reproduction and longevity among others. Cook had no comment on whether Apple is experimenting with bigger iPhone products, though it can speculated that the company is at least toying with the idea.
Update: This story was originally based on a tweet and has since been updated to reflect all available information.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
161 Comments
Edited: Okay I cede to the intelligent opinions of this group and I retract my suggestion that the WSJ writer is trying to dampen public enthusiasm for the new iPhones by suggesting that even better, bigger iPhones are coming soon. The public knows that Apple would never release even big screen phones right away after the impending announcement. Conclusion: My post was utterly wrong.
Emphasize the word "working". I'm sure Apple is (or has) testing many different sizes for current and future products. Apple has been doing that for years. It's called "R&D". Is this WSJ writer just trying to get his 3.5 minutes of instant Apple gratification via web hits? Oh wait... never mind.
sources say Apple is actively experimenting with large-format smartphones, also called "phablets," with display sizes akin to products made by rival Samsung.
Experimenting != Producing
Honestly without a proper pressure sensitive stylus, it would be much less useful either way.
IMO- if they would make the 4.9 size phone (fine phablet... what ever, many people like the size), then allow a bit more openness for lock screen management / keyboards etc that should take away ~90% of Android users usual complaints about iOS (understanding more comnplaints, real or imagined, will be identified soon after).
Let's be fair and acknowledge the fact that Apply may be (not is) copying Samsung this time with the phablet.
*Waits for Applefans to portray this the wrong way in 3...2...*