14 DAY TRIAL // Only the larger 5.6-inch iPhone will reportedly sport a sapphire crystal display, while the smaller 4.7-incher will continue to rely on Gorilla Glass, according to supply chain sources cited by Taiwan’s Economic Daily News.
Whether or not that’s true, a far more tantalizing prospect is being noted in the EDN report. According to the same supply chain sources, Apple won’t even call the bigger device an iPhone.
While the report doesn’t mention any alternate nomenclature, it does say that the company is considering this product somewhat of an experiment. The rumor is sketchy, to say the least.
A rough machine translation reads: “Apple will also launch 5.6-inch smart machine experiment models, but the name is not called iPhone, pioneered the use of sapphire glass screen.”
Strangely, another paragraph seems to reiterate this fact, almost as if EDN wants to emphasize that Apple is introducing an all-new hybrid device, a phablet, as the media calls this type of product.
“In addition, iPhone is a single from the first generation models, but in order to meet the market demand for large-size screen, Apple also has plans to launch 5.6-inch smartphone, but mainly experimental models, the name will not be named the iPhone.”
As far as assembly is concerned, Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) will be handling most of the workload, according to the report. It also mentions that Apple’s next-generation iPhone will be released in the third quarter of 2014.
Editor’s note It doesn’t sound too plausible that Apple wants to “experiment” at a time when everyone, from investors to customers, is pressing Tim Cook to launch something major. Plus, phablets aren’t really Apple’s thing.
Also worth noting is that, historically, the company has taken very small steps in altering screen sizes: from 3.5 inches in iPhone 4S to 4 inches in iPhone 5, from 9.7 inches in the iPad to 7.9-inches in the iPad mini. Jumping from 4 inches to almost seven in the same product category doesn’t seem like Apple’s trademark.