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WSJ: Next iPhone to feature at least a 4-inch screen, production to begin in June

Jake Smith | May 16 2012 - 3:38 am PT

Mockup

Update: Reuters backed up the WSJ’s report and claimed sources have indicated, “The new iPhone screens will measure 4 inches from corner to corner.” It also said that early production began at LG Display, Sharp Corp, and Japan Display, Inc., which would allow the device to hit production by August.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which cited “people familiar with the situation,” Apple is set to use “at least” a 4-inch screen on the sixth-generation iPhone. Many long-time iPhone customers requested that Apple move away from its 3.5-inch screen traditionally used on the iPhone to a larger screen like many Android handsets on the market. According to the report, Apple ordered “at least” 4-inch screens from Asian suppliers to go into production starting in June. Apple tapped LG Display, Sharp, and Japan Display, Inc., to manufacture the displays.

Late last week, Rene Ritchie of iMore shared some tidbits over what he has heard on the next iPhone. According to his sources, Apple capped the next iPhone’s screen at 4-inches, rather than going any bigger. Ritchie also added that Apple is currently developing a smaller dock connector. Lastly, it will launch in October with LTE in the plans. It will also keep the home button and no-metal backing. iLounge editor Jeremy Horwitz had similar thoughts earlier this month.

Analyst Shawn Wu said in a research note published earlier today that Apple has slowed down production of the iPhone 4S to get ready for the next generation of the iPhone. He said the slow down is as much as 20 percent to 25 percent on a quarter-over-quarter basis. The slowed production helps suppliers to get ready for the next version of the iPhone.