Next iPhone Could Be Taller and Thinner, Sport a Larger Screen

Most people would like to be a bit taller and slimmer, and apparently that goes for the next-generation iPhone. According to an unconfirmed report, Apple is working on a smartphone with some significant design changes.

There has been quite a bit of debate on whether the next iPhone will have a larger touchscreen. Every previous model has used a 3.5-inch display, but some are arguing that's about to change. An unnamed source told iLounge that the model coming in the fall will have a 4-inch screen, something that has been included in a number of previous rumors.

In order to fit in this larger display, Apple's next smartphone will supposedly be getting taller by about 0.4 inches (10mm). However, the width of the device reportedly will not change, which would force Apple to change the screen resolution. A display with more vertical pixels but the same number of horizontal pixels might cause issues for compatibility with third-party applications.

Thin is In

Apple helped touch off the competition to see who could make the thinnest smartphone, and the sixth generation iPhone will apparently continue in this game. It will reportedly be about 20% thinner, down to one third of an inch.

Also reportedly getting slimmed down is the Dock Connector. Apple's next smartphone will be the first with a re-designed power and data port, which will allegedly have fewer pins. Unless some kind of adapter is possible, this will break compatibility with all previous accessories that use this port.

A recent report indicated that Apple was going to use a liquid metal body on this handset. More recent reports have indicated that this is unlikely, and this new source says Apple is sticking with a mostly glass exterior. Still, a good portion of the back will supposedly be replaced with metal.

Still a Ways Away

In line with a growing number of recent reports, this source indicates that the sixth generation iPhone will be introduced in the fall, about a year after the introduction of the iPhone 4S. This will allegedly be followed by a new iPod touch version that will have almost the same design.

Source