WSJ: Apple Testing Larger iPhone Screens from 4.8 to 6-Inches

The Wall Street Journal reports Apple is testing larger iPhone screens, from 4.8 to 6-inches:

The electronics giant has begun evaluating a plan to offer iPhones with screens ranging from 4.8 inches to as high as six inches, people familiar with the matter say. That would be a sizable leap from the 4-inch screen of the iPhone 5 released last year, and, at the upper end, would be one of the largest on the market.

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But people familiar with the company’s internal deliberations and plans indicate it appears more willing to move ahead than in years past. Component suppliers say Apple already began testing larger screens for iPhones in recent months. Apple has been particularly interested in recent tests for a 4.8-inch screen, these people say.

Back in July, the WSJ also reported Apple had asked its supply chain for larger prototypes of iPhone and iPad models, with the latter rumoured up to 13-inches. Earlier in June, Reuters said Apple was testing iPhone models with screen sizes ranging from 4.7 to 5.7 inches.

Despite the pressure from customers and investors, Apple CEO Tim Cook has maintained the 4-inch iPhone screen remains the ‘perfect’ size:

“The iPhone 5 offers, as you know, a new four-inch retina display, which is the most advanced display in the industry,” said Cook. “It also provides a larger screen size without sacrificing the one-handed ease of use that our customers love.”

Back in January, rumours ramped up Apple was set to debut a larger phone ridiculously dubbed “iPhone Math”. Many investors want Apple to release larger iPhone screen sizes to compete with rival Samsung’s Galaxy line up, where smartphones can reach up to 5.7 inches, like the newly updated Note 3.