Apple Testing Screens for a Larger iPhone and a 13-Inch iPad

galaxy note ii iphone 5
5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Note II vs. iPhone 5 (Source: phoneArena.com)

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple and its suppliers are testing larger screens for both the iPhone and iPad:

In recent months, Apple has asked for prototype smartphone screens larger than 4 inches and has also asked for screen designs for a new tablet device measuring slightly less than 13 inches diagonally, they said. The current iPhone 5 has a four-inch screen, while the iPad has a 9.7-inch screen. The iPad Mini, a stripped-down version of its tablet computer, has a 7.9-inch screen.

Reports of larger screen sizes for Apple's iPhone model are not new. Multiple reports have already suggested that Apple has been experimenting with screen sizes as large as 5.7" for the iPhone.

However, only one previous rumor, which we classified as "sketchy" emerged in May that pinpointed a 12.9" size for a future iPad.

The larger iPad, which the site apparently in all seriousness says would be called "iPad Maxi", would launch in the first half of 2014 and be intended to target the ultrabook market as well as increase utility for digital textbooks.

While we dismissed that rumor before, the Wall Street Journal's sources apparently confirm the testing of this large almost 13" screen size. The newspaper does explain that these new designs may never make it to market.

Meanwhile, they say the new 2013 iPad will be ramping up later this month. This year's iPad will use the same 9.7" screen, but with a lighter and thinner display structure.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

tbrand7 Avatar
152 months ago
Well, let the iPad "Maxi" rumors begin!
Score: 51 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tbrand7 Avatar
152 months ago
RIP Steve Jobs and "Think Different".
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iWallace26 Avatar
152 months ago
I would love a 4.3 or 4.8 screen for the iphone not sure about a 13 inch ipad though.
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lincolntran Avatar
152 months ago
Maybe just me

Maybe it's just me, but I prefer to have my devices that fit my needs and my needs are:

- For quick and ultra portable: I have my iPhone 5 (don't like it any bigger, I even like the 3.5 screen better)

- For bigger screen and still ultra portable: I have my iPad mini

- For even bigger screen: I have my iPad

- For serious work AND still portable: I have my Macbook Air

- For taking over the world: I have my Mac Pro

I don't want a phone with 6.5, or 5.5, or 5.0, or related hybrid screen sizes that can't do the job as good as the 5 mentioned above. But that's just me. :D
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
irDigital0l Avatar
152 months ago
Larger screen iPhone?

Yes please.

Apple finally gets it. Multiple displays sizes for MacBook, for iPad...one sizes does not fit all.

Hopefully it'll happen this year.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TrollToddington Avatar
152 months ago
I'm in for a 13" iPad. Perfect for musicians, it will replace the music sheets. There's definitely a market for this.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)