Mobile

Apple preparing 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch iPhones, budget smartphone at $100?

Alexandra Burlacu

The rumor mill is always busy churning all-things-Apple, and the newest whispers indicate the Cupertino tech giant is considering larger screens for upcoming iPhones.

More specifically, Apple is reportedly testing display sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.7 inches for upcoming iPhone models that could hit the market next year. Moreover, the company is also mulling the idea of a low-cost iPhone with a roughly $100 price point.

The news comes from Reuters, who cites sources saying that Apple is looking at bigger screens and cheaper models in several colors.

"Apple is looking at introducing at least two bigger iPhones next year - one with a 4.7-inch screen and one with a 5.7-inch screen - said the sources, including those in the supply chain in Asia. They said suppliers have been approached with plans for the larger screens, but noted it is still unclear whether Apple will actually launch its flagship product in the larger sizes," Reuters reports.

"They constantly change product specifications almost to the final moment, so they're not really sure whether this is the final prototype," one source further told Reuters.

The report also covers Apple's plans for this year. According to the publication, the Cupertino tech giant should launch both an iPhone 5S with fingerprint technology and a cheaper iPhone in multiple colors sometime in September. Its sources reportedly point to a low-cost, plastic iPhone in a range of five or six colors, aiming to make the cheaper iPhone easily distinguishable from the more expensive models that come in only black or white.

"The U.S. firm has discussed a price of $99 for the cheaper phone, the timing of which could slip to next year, one of the sources said. It's not yet clear what the final price would be," adds the Reuters report.

The iPhone 5 sports the biggest display yet on an iPhone - 4-inches, a slight boost from the 3.5-inch displays found in all previous models. While it is a notable improvement, many believe that a 4-inch iPhone pales in comparison to Android rivals sporting increasingly bigger displays. Apple may plan to catch up and join the supersized-smartphone race with upcoming iPhones and a 5.7-inch iPhone would mark the very first Apple "phablet."

Keep in mind, however, that Apple made no official announcement, nor did it comment on this report. This means that so far nothing is confirmed, so take things with a healthy dose of skepticism.

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