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

10x0626noiret54x006iPhone 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

wackymacky Avatar
157 months 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.
Score: 51 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skika Avatar
157 months ago
Wow a poll! What a great idea.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
estockme Avatar
157 months ago
look at how much of the picture gets cut off without that extra half inch!
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eriamjh1138@DAN Avatar
157 months 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.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Twimfy Avatar
157 months 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.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
superman23 Avatar
157 months 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
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Logo

Apple Discontinued These 5 Products This Year

Monday November 27, 2023 7:03 am PST by
As the end of 2023 nears, now is a good opportunity to look back at some of the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Apple products discontinued in 2023 include the iPhone 13 mini, 13-inch MacBook Pro, MagSafe Battery Pack, MagSafe Duo Charger, and leather accessories. Also check out our lists of Apple products discontinued in 2022 and 2021. iPhone Mini ...
ios 17 namedrop

Police Departments and News Sites Spreading Misinformation About How iOS 17 NameDrop Feature Works

Monday November 27, 2023 5:11 pm PST by
Apple with iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1 introduced a new NameDrop feature that is designed to allow users to place Apple devices near one another to quickly exchange contact information. Sharing contact information is done with explicit user permission, but some news organizations and police departments have been spreading misinformation about how functions. As noted by The Washington Post,...
iOS 17

26 New Things Your iPhone Can Do With Next Month's iOS 17.2 Update

Wednesday November 22, 2023 10:57 pm PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen two more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 26 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released in December. 1. Help You...
iOS 17

iOS 17.1.2 Update for iPhone Likely to Be Released This Week

Monday November 27, 2023 8:24 am PST by
Apple will likely release iOS 17.1.2 this week, based on mounting evidence of the software in our website's analytics logs in recent days. As a minor update, iOS 17.1.2 should be focused on bug fixes, but it's unclear exactly which issues might be addressed. Some users have continued to experience Wi-Fi issues on iOS 17.1.1, so perhaps iOS 17.1.2 will include the same fix for Wi-Fi...
Cyber Monday Deals Feature 2022

40+ Apple Cyber Week Deals for AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 26, 2023 9:47 am PST by
Cyber Week has taken the place of Black Friday, and you'll find some of the same deals still around for the next few days, although many from Black Friday have now expired. This includes dozens of record low prices on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iPhone, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a...
General Black Friday Deals 2022 Green

40+ Apple Black Friday Deals Still Available for AirPods, iPhone, iPad and More

Friday November 24, 2023 5:01 am PST by
Black Friday 2023 has officially ended, but we're still tracking some of the best deals of the year on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and many more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically, in this article we're...