iPhone 5S Display Rumored to Carry Twice as Many Pixels as iPhone 5

iphone_5_displayChinese site WeiPhone.com reports [Google translation, via Unwired View] that Apple will make a significant change to the display of the iPhone 5S, doubling the number of pixels to roughly 1.5 million. The device will reportedly also see a narrower bezel, although it is unclear exactly how that would be achieved.

According to sources, iPhone 5S (or iPhone 6) or to have a more narrow screen frame, is now preparing, will ship in September. In addition, the product also has a screen 1.5 million pixels, compared to nearly 730,000 iPhone 5 the number of pixels, if not the screen size continues to increase, the resolution will be greatly improved.

The report does not specify how Apple would achieve a doubling of pixels in the iPhone 5S display, and any potential solutions would appear to have significant drawbacks.

One possible method would be to increase the iPhone 5's pixel density by a factor of 1.5 in each dimension, yielding a 1704 x 960 display which would include 1.6 million pixels at a density of approximately 489 pixels per inch (PPI). Scaling existing content to the higher-density display would, however, be imperfect given the fractional multiplier.

One major argument against the possibility of a resolution increase for the iPhone 5S is the fact that Apple just underwent a resolution change last year with the iPhone 5 and fifth-generation iPod touch. That shift has required app developers to tweak their apps to support the taller display, a burden that Apple would surely prefer not to repeat just a year later. The previous change for the iPhone display was the move to a Retina display for the iPhone 4, yielding an interval of a little over two years between that change and the taller display of the iPhone 5.

The claim of a higher-density display for the iPhone 5S also conflicts with a number of other rumors regarding the device, which have indicated the device will use the same display found in the iPhone 5. WeiPhone's claim of a narrower bezel for the iPhone also seems to conflict with Apple's existing pattern of maintaining a body design for two generations before making significant changes. Rumors have so far indicated that Apple will be continuing that pattern this year with an "iPhone 5S" focused on internal upgrades rather than an all-new "iPhone 6", regardless of what the device is ultimately called.

WeiPhone's forums are a fairly frequent source of Apple rumors, although the site itself does not frequently report rumors, making it difficult to determine a track record. But while some have believed that Apple needs to make further improvements to its displays while competitors such as Samsung's Galaxy S4 with its 1920 x 1080 display at 441 PPI have made their own advancements, there has been little sign that Apple is making such plans for its next-generation iPhone.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Apple Event Logo Hints at Two iPhone 17 Pro Features

Wednesday August 27, 2025 6:36 am PDT by
Apple's logo for its upcoming September 9 event hints at two rumored iPhone 17 Pro features, including new color options and a vapor chamber cooling system. Of course, this is all just speculation for fun, as we count down the final days until the event. New Colors Last month, Macworld's Filipe Espósito reported that orange and dark blue would be two out of the five color options...
Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Antenna Design

Two All-New iPhone 17 Colors Seemingly Confirmed

Monday August 25, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple will offer the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in a new orange color, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman made the claim in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, adding that the new iPhone 17 Air – replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – will come in a new light blue color. We've heard multiple rumors about a new iPhone 17 Pro color being a shade of orange. The ...
crossbody strap

iPhone 17's 'Crossbody Strap' Accessory to Feature Magnetic Design

Thursday August 28, 2025 7:49 am PDT by
Apple's cases for the iPhone 17 lineup will be accompanied by a new Crossbody Strap accessory with a unique magnetic design, according to the leaker known as "Majin Bu." Apple's Crossbody Strap reportedly features an unusual magnetic design; it likely has a "flexible metal core" that makes it magnetic along its entire length. At the ends, "rings polarized oppositely to the strap close the...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3: Four Key Design Changes Anticipated

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:05 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022 other than a shift from Lightning to USB-C, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will launch AirPods Pro 3 later this year, and apart from new features like heart rate monitoring, we're also expecting a few design changes. The fourth‑generation AirPods offer useful clues to Apple's design cues for ...

Top Rated Comments

samcraig Avatar
160 months ago
My only question is - why?

Are people really going to see that kind of difference? On a 4" phone?
Score: 77 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mono1980 Avatar
160 months ago
This is not going to happen. It takes two seconds of critical thinking to realize this.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
diddl14 Avatar
160 months ago
doesn't make sense..
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Meandmunch Avatar
160 months ago
Really?!, because eagles demanded higher resolution iPhone screens?
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
subsonix Avatar
160 months ago
NEWSFLASH

"Retina" is just a made up marketing word for Apple
Yes, but it's a marketing word there is a definition for. All words are made up.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Semester Avatar
160 months ago
That would be a huge waste of money really. Lower the prize or put the money on better anodization or something.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)