iPhone 5: Bigger Display? Slimmer Body? Metal Back? Smaller Dock Connector? Really?

New reports, leaks and rumors regarding Apple's highly-anticipated next-generation iPhone are surfacing on a daily basis. This time, Apple-centric blog iLounge reported that a "reliable source" had confirmed details on a thinner, taller iPhone, featuring scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 2 protection on the front, a metal panel on the back and a 4-inch display, instead of the 3.5-inch screen found on previous iPhones.

According to iLounge, the next-generation iPhone will also feature a smaller dock connector with fewer pins, and will be about 20 percent thinner than the iPhone 4. "Approximate measurements are 125mm by 58.5mm by 7.4mm - a 10mm jump in height, nearly 2mm reduction in thickness, and virtually identical width," wrote iLounge editor Jeremy Horwitz. "According to our source, Apple will make one major change to the rear casing, adding a metal panel to the central back of the new iPhone. This panel will be flat, not curved, and metal, not ceramic."

The rumor mill has gone wild in anticipation, and many anonymous sources have speculated on the next iPhone's design. iLounge, however, has a solid track record in terms of information accuracy. Ahead of the new iPad's big unveiling, the blog had reported details claiming it would be thicker and feature a better camera, both of which proved to be true. On the other hand, the blog's current claim that the next-generation iPhone's screen size would alter the aspect ratio of the screen has raised questions regarding app resolution, as well as other application development considerations.

According to Horwitz, the next-generation iPhone will be taller but not wider, therefore Apple will have to change the phone's aspect ratio for the first time since 2007, when the very first iPhone was introduced. Apple will need to add extra pixels to the top and bottom of the screen, which will likely affect third-party software. The new dock connector, said Horowitz, is "closer to a pill shape," and will serve all mobile devices the company launches in the future. The new dock connector might have only 16 pins, as opposed to the current 30-pin dock connector.

Apple has not offered any details regarding the next-generation iPhone. There is no mention of a release date, but most reports indicate it should arrive sometime in the fall. On the other hand, some reports suggest a more imminent launch, at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

(reported by Alexandra Burlacu, edited by Dave Clark)