Apple Suppliers Starting to Ship 4" Screens for Next iPhone?

Sunday November 27, 2011 6:20 am PST by Arnold Kim

iPhone 4 (3.5") top vs Galaxy S (4") bottom via Engadget
Macotakara claims that Hitatchi Displays and Sony Mobile Display Corporation have begun shipping 4-inch LCDs for a new iOS device:

According to Asian source, Hitachi Displays, Ltd. and Sony Mobile Display Corporation started to ship 4-inch LCD for new iOS device and LCD for iPad 3. These 2 companies will be merged their business with Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd., as "Japan Display" in 2012 spring.

The report doesn't specify which iOS device that the screens would be used for, but the most natural choice would be the next generation iPhone. Apple has been said to be exploring the use of a 4" display for their upcoming iPhone. iLounge previously indicated that the 2012 iPhone would use a 4" display.

So far, Apple has only used a 3.5" display across its iPhone line, and there have been arguments that 3.5" may be the ideal size for one-handed use.

Top Rated Comments

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wackymacky

26 weeks ago

I guess I'm spoiled by being able to have an iphone and an iPad, but having a bigger screen on the phone for me would just take up more space in my pocket and be a bother more than anything.

Rating: 62 Positives / 11 Negatives

Skika

26 weeks ago

Wow a poll! What a great idea.

Rating: 41 Positives / 4 Negatives

estockme

26 weeks ago

look at how much of the picture gets cut off without that extra half inch!

Rating: 49 Positives / 14 Negatives

Eriamjh1138@DAN

26 weeks ago

I've seen the bigger-screened phones and they are too damn big. They are like carrying a 17" laptop around.

The iPhone's current size is pretty close to ideal. However, if Apple can put a bigger screen into the same package, then go for it.

Another thing about screens: other phones screens just plain suck. The display appears to be farther below the touch surface. I guess Apple's work to make the screen and touch surface thinner is worth it.

Rating: 40 Positives / 11 Negatives

Twimfy

26 weeks ago

I hope it's gonna stay the same. From a Dev point of view it'll be a potential nightmare making apps with 3 different resolutions and ratios. Pain in the ass doing stuff for retina as it is.

Also the whole point of the current screen size is to make the whole display accessible with one hand. If you want to see movies etc on a larger screen...buy a TV.

Rating: 40 Positives / 14 Negatives

superman23

26 weeks ago

so keep the resolution the same and increase the screen to 4" and quietly drop the "retina" name until tech is good enough to double the resolution in several years

99.9% of iphone buyers WILL NOT CARE

Rating: 28 Positives / 10 Negatives

davebarnes

26 weeks ago

with a larger screen.
Edge to edge would be enough.

Rating: 22 Positives / 5 Negatives

Gemütlichkeit

26 weeks ago

larger screen doesn't automatically make it better people.

Rating: 26 Positives / 10 Negatives

GeniusJon

26 weeks ago

As long as they don't make it more than 4", its fine by me.

Rating: 23 Positives / 7 Negatives

mingoglia

26 weeks ago

I too would consider the idea of a 4" as long as the physical phone size doesn't change. I think the phone size is perfect and any increase in screen size should fit within the existing chassis. With that being said I've never thought to myself, "gee, I wish this screen was bigger"... but that's not to say I wouldn't welcome the change. I will tell you though I have used other phones and felt they were too big and bulky with many having underwhelming display qualities.

Rating: 15 Positives / 1 Negatives

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