Both Reuters and The Wall Street Journal are reporting Apple has ordered displays for its iPhone 5, and those displays measure 4 inches diagonally. Previously rumors were that Apple would keep its original 3.5 inch display, but it looks like Apple has changed its mind and are opting for a larger display. Great choice!
The question remains whether Apple will increase the size of the phone, or simply decrease the size of the iPhone's bezel to fit the new display. It seems like they will have to increase the size of the phone a bit to get to 4 inches.
Also, will the new display have a change in aspect ratio making it closer to 16:9, or will it keep the existing 2:3 ratio? Going to a different aspect ratio would fragment iOS. It would mean that new apps would not work on older phones, and older apps would be boxed on the new iPhone. Apple has previously opted out of this kind of fragmentation but it remains to be seen what will happen. If Apple keeps the aspect ratio the same but increases the size of the display, buttons and icons will be bigger (nice), but it might mean pixels might again be visible. I can't imagine Apple opting for that so they have to have something up their sleeve.
The new iPhone screens will measure 4 inches from corner to corner, one source said. That would represent a roughly 30 percent increase in viewing area, assuming Apple keeps other dimensions proportional. Apple has used a 3.5-inch screen since introducing the iPhone in 2007.
The question remains whether Apple will increase the size of the phone, or simply decrease the size of the iPhone's bezel to fit the new display. It seems like they will have to increase the size of the phone a bit to get to 4 inches.
Also, will the new display have a change in aspect ratio making it closer to 16:9, or will it keep the existing 2:3 ratio? Going to a different aspect ratio would fragment iOS. It would mean that new apps would not work on older phones, and older apps would be boxed on the new iPhone. Apple has previously opted out of this kind of fragmentation but it remains to be seen what will happen. If Apple keeps the aspect ratio the same but increases the size of the display, buttons and icons will be bigger (nice), but it might mean pixels might again be visible. I can't imagine Apple opting for that so they have to have something up their sleeve.