Apple Working on 4-Inch Display for iPhone 5 – WSJ

The iPhone’s 3.5-inch display is looking a bit small to some users, and according to multiple sources Apple may finally introduce a larger 4-inch display in the new iPhone this fall.

This isn’t the first time that We’ve heard about a larger iPhone, in fact many analysts and publications expected a larger iPhone last fall.

Read: iPhone 5 Release Date & Rumors

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is coordinating with LG, Sharp and a third company representing three Japanese firms to order larger 4-inch displays.

According to the suppliers Wall Street Journal spoke to the new iPhone manufacturing would need to start one nd a half to two months before an iPhone 5 release date, ruling out a June launch at WWDC next month.

Watch Juro Osawa discuss the iPhone 5 timeline and potential for a larger iPhone 5 display in this video.

We have seen many small leaks including a few internal parts claiming to be for the iPhone 5, and we have also seen a number of great looking iPhone 5 mock-ups with a 4-inch display, but so far we have not seen any conclusive evidence regarding a larger screen on the new iPhone.

Making Sense of 4-inch iPhone 5 Rumors

Most of the sources claiming to have inside knowledge about a 4-inch display on the iPhone 5 also include information that discredits them.

iLounge claims the new iPhone will have a 4-inch display, but also that it will come with a new aspect ration and a new smaller dock connector. iLounge has access to insider sources, but it is difficult to believe that the iconic Apple dock connector will change without any additional corroboration.

iLounge claims this is what a 4-inch iPhone 5 may look like.

Other rumors claim that a 4-inch iPhone is a done deal, but that it will launch in June, an unlikely time considering Apple will likely announce iOS 6 and new MacBook Pro models at WWDC, not the iPhone 5.

Will Apple Ever Make a Larger iPhone?

While many users clamor for a larger iPhone display, Apple may not increase the size. One argument says that the 3.5-inch display is perfectly suited for one hand operation, as shown in the illustration below.

Larger screens inhibit one-handed iPhone operation.

With a higher resolution Apple has kept pace with the competition and thanks to the current ecosystem, and success of the iPhone 4S, with no changes in appearance, Apple may stick with a smaller screen size.

While Android phone sizes are growing closer to that of a small tablet, in a poll of 2,760 readers, 54% say they want a 3.5 inch Android smartphone, so Apple’s consumer research may show that most users don’t really want a larger smartphone.

What size smartphone display is perfect for you?