Apple possibly thinking bigger about iPhone, iPad sizes

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is working with its supply chain partners to product test versions of a larger iPhone screen and a larger iPad screen.

From the report, which cites unnamed sources:

"In recent months, Apple has asked for prototype smartphone screens larger than four inches and has also asked for screen designs for a new tablet device measuring slightly less than 13 inches diagonally, they said."

This means, well, that Apple is testing things: it does that from time to time. The report doesn't automatically mean a 4.3-inch iPhone is headed our way this fall or next - or that an enormous iPad is in its future.

The iPhone 5 has a 4-inch display and previous reports have indicated the next model, due this fall, will retain that same size display. The iPad comes with displays measuring 7.9 inches (iPad mini) and 9.7 inches (iPad). Apple has been known to diversify its product lines with various size offerings in the past - the iPod being the best example - so the fact that Apple is at least looking into whether different sizes of products could fill different price points for buyers is no surprise.

Related research Subscriber Content ?Subscriber Content comes from GigaOM Pro, a revolutionary approach to market research without the high price tag. Visit any of our reports to subscribe. Where new opportunity lies in the mobile operating system space The fourth quarter of 2012 in mobile Mobile Q2: Smartphone growth surges; iPad's rule continues By Erica Ogg

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