New iPhone 5 Rumors: Bigger Screen, Keyboard In The Works?

First there were a slew of rumors suggesting Apple was working on a smaller, cheaper version of the iPhone. Now, the rumors are hinting Apple has plans to launch a larger iPhone with a 4-inch screen and, possibly, a keyboard.

Taiwanese newspaper Digitimes cites "upstream component suppliers" in reporting that the next generation of the iPhone could get larger as part of Apple's effort to compete with Android devices:

The component suppliers noted that the production lines for Apple's next generation iPhone have begun testing, and Apple is interesting in expanding the screen size to 4-inches to support the tablet PC market as the vendor only has a 9.7-inch iPad in the market.

In fact, smartphones that adopt the Google Android platform are mainly 4-inch and larger models. Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S and Google's Nexus S adopt 4-inch panels, Sharp adopts 5.5-inch for its smartphone, and Acer plans to launch a 4.8-inch smartphone. With Apple joining the 4-inch and larger market, 4- to 5.5-inch will become the major battlefield for smartphones and further change the industry dynamics for small- to medium-size panels.

Another Taiwanese news outlet, the website tw.apple.pro, suggests Apple may be preparing several different iPhone 5 prototypes, including one with a slide-out keyboard.

Apple Insider writes of the rumor:

The new details come from tw.apple.pro, but are the result of a rough online translation. The site's source claimed that Apple has built three prototype models for its anticipated "iPhone 5," and one of them has a "sliding cover" that conceals a keyboard.

Another prototype reportedly built by Apple looks largely like the iPhone 4, but has improved hardware including longer battery life and superior camera. That version of the handset would not be a major physical change from the previous-generation iPhone 4, and would be akin to the iPhone 3GS replacing the iPhone 3G, the report said.

A report in the Wall Street Journal suggested that Apple was indeed planning on releasing several different versions of the next generation iPhone, but noted only that the company was prepping a cheaper line of phones.

The Journal wrote, "Apple is preparing to roll out a series of lower-priced iPhones to compete with other smartphones on the market. The new models will run about half the cost of existing iPhones."

Quick Poll

The 'iPhone 5' will:

Have a larger screen

Have a slide-out keyboard

Have a larger screen AND a slide-out keyboard

Have neither a keyboard nor a larger screen

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Comments

[iotagamma]

01:21 AM on 03/09/2011

No one cares.. If you want to complain about their hiring practices, please comment under the "Politics" tab..

[WonderfulElena]

02:53 PM on 02/17/2011

i predict iphone 5 will have a thinner more emaciated look

[Turtlenewz]

08:39 AM on 02/17/2011

I still have the 3GS will switch if the 5 comes out

[Aimee Bellefleur Hogan]

02:36 PM on 03/31/2011

That is what I am planning on doing, too.

[omeo2013]

06:06 AM on 02/17/2011

If a slightly larger screen and a slide-out keyboard are the best they can do, I'm not getting one. How about improving the camera a little? On the other hand, I'll enjoy paying less for an iPhone 4 when the new one comes out.

[Bobcatter]

08:30 AM on 03/08/2011

Improve the camera a little and you don't even have a 4? That's a silly comment.

If I were you though, I'd skip the 4. They made a big mistake with this glass case. 3GS or 5.

[KarateKid]

02:00 AM on 02/17/2011

I can't believe Apple would put out a sliding keyboard. It doesn't make any sense. And, this won't be a major update, it will be more like going from the 3G to 3Gs. Someone at AT&T told me they won't have the 4G network up and running until at least 2012.

[Bobcatter]

08:32 AM on 03/08/2011

I would love to have a slide-out keyboard on my iphone. Texting on a touch keyboard is what makes no sense.

[mytwocents02]

04:39 PM on 02/16/2011

With all the bragging about sizes and inches, I've to check the headline to make sure I'm reading about phones and not pr....

[segdae22]

11:23 AM on 02/16/2011

Given Apples design standards, I doubt a slide out keyboard is in the works. The bigger screen is possible, but I also think its unlikely (again given design standards). I expect the iPhone 5 to support 4G technologies (both GMS and CDMA) and there will probably be some general hardware boosts (faster processor, better battery life, better antenna, yada yada yada). I don't expect the iPhone 5 to be much of a "game changer".

[tracymanner]

11:12 AM on 02/16/2011

Don't worry, Steve is on sick leave!

[Saul Ortiz]

10:13 AM on 02/16/2011

I don't want a slide keyboard. :(
I may be alone on this but I love typing on screen and I'm incredibly efficient at it.

[Turtlenewz]

08:38 AM on 02/17/2011

Agree.

[RattleCat]

09:19 AM on 02/16/2011

Rumor has it, there will be more rumors out later today.

[NOSOCIALNETS]

11:17 AM on 02/16/2011

Why don't you fly over to China and free the slaves? Ranting on Huffpo does not appear to be very productive.

[keramos]

06:33 PM on 02/16/2011

Judging by your nick, you probably think child slave labor is a good thing.

[thames river]

11:32 AM on 02/17/2011

I assume you only buy American made phones...or tvs...or computers...
Its naive to bash apple for using chinese labor, when half if not more of the things you own were probably made by a chinese labor force as well. Hippo much?

[zombywulf]

03:16 AM on 02/16/2011

Quick now everyone get out there and buy the verizon 4 so apple can actually get the 5 out in july, so Jobs can die with all your money

[Morgantheaxe]

02:46 AM on 02/16/2011

Rumors about vaporware.....Taiwanese rumors about vaporware. Call me this fall when it gets closer.

[Highball]

12:28 AM on 02/16/2011

I am not saying it's not true (though I have serious doubts), but Digitimes has a dubious track record when it comes to these rumors.

[Amalek]

10:13 PM on 02/15/2011

Just when you thought life could not get better.

[ethiopia1a]

09:11 AM on 02/17/2011

it get 3ger lol

[Mahi Joe]

11:07 AM on 02/17/2011

Wait, just wait till iPhone9,230 comes out.