Ahead of the iPhone 5S release date thought to be scheduled for Apple’s September 10 press event, the Cupertino-based electronics producer has allegedly already begun testing larger iPhone screens. While speculations like this are nothing we haven’t heard before, past rumors pointed to the upcoming next-gen smartphone as the one that would boast a display as large as six inches not next year’s version as the Wall Street Journal reports.
The creation of another iPhone version measuring 5-plus inches is uncharted territory for Apple, though these days the company is more tolerant of non-Apple-conforming devices. For the first time, Apple will launch a plastic shelled iPhone complete with a spectrum of colorful neon choices and a scaled-back iOS 7. While this was a big step for Apple and its line of popular smartphone, it may not even be the last. The WSJ report continues “people familiar with the company’s internal deliberations and plans indicate it appears more willing to move ahead than in years past.”
No other Apple details or directions are mentioned in the report aside from the fact that they’re considering new screen sizes.
Rival Samsung recently released its Galaxy Note 3 smartphone/tablet hybrid, the display of which measures a robust 5.7-inches. Finding that sweet spot between comfortably held smartphones and functional tablets seem to be where high-end device makers are eying next in a market saturated by similar handsets. Perhaps Samsung is on to something as early reviews of the Note III are promising.
As for what’s on deck, the iPhone 5S is expected to come with up to 128GB of internal storage along with a new 64-bit A7 processing chip, certainly a step up from the A6 which produces less wireless bandwidth.
The iPhone 5S will also carry a 4-inch IGZO display, a 12MP rear-facing camera, dual-LED flash with /2.0 lens, and a convex home button used to house an authentication fingerprint sensor. Keep in mind that a recent article report thinks the home button will remain concave so be weary. Also be on the look out for 16GB and 32GB internal storage variants and, of course, iOS 7 and all of the features the flagship mobile operating system has to offer.
The iPhone 5C will be similar in size and specs — with a 4-inch display, upgraded camera, and possible inclusion of the aforementioned fingerprint sensor — but is though to have a scaled-back iOS 7 to account for its budget-friendliness. It will also sport a plastic shell in a neon spectrum of colors instead of Apple’s signature anodized aluminum casing.
