iPhone 6 Rumors Include 5-Inch Display, May Release Date

The iPhone 6 rumors have already started, with reports that Apple could release the new, larger-display version of its iPhone as early as next spring.

Only a few months have passed since the release of the iPhone 5S, which introduced a new fingerprint identity sensor, powerful 64-bit chip, and an improved camera. But technology blogs are buzzing with rumors out of Apple that the iPhone 6 is on the way.

The tech blog Digitech first noted on the rumors this week, tucked into a report about a new 12.9-inch tablet due out in October. The site noted:

“In addition to tablets, Apple is also rumored to be planning a larger size iPhone for May 2014, using a 20nm processor manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the sources noted.”

Digitimes didn’t divulge details of what speculations could be included in the iPhone 6, but multiple reports said the display will be larger than the current iPhone (possibly in the neighborhood of 5 inches), but not as large as tablets like the Galaxy Note 3.

While the iPhone 6 rumors are still pinning down the features that may be included in the new release, analysts have identified what they think it won’t include — curves.

Several analysts think the iPhone 6 won’t be able to replicate the curved display found on the Samsung Galaxy Round and the LG G Flex. John Seo, a tech analyst at Shinhan Investment, said it will likely be at least 2015 before Apple would be able to adopt a curved display.

The quick turnaround from the iPhone 5S would be unusual for Apple, but BGR notes that competition from Samsung has pushed up the release schedule:

“Releasing a device with a larger display is an interesting move for Apple because it will be a rare instance where the company will be following rival Samsung, which first sparked the tablet craze back in 2012 with its original Galaxy Note. It would be rare to see Apple release a new version of the iPhone so close to the release of its latest iPhone 5s but maybe the company doesn’t want to wait much longer to put out a device with a larger form factor.”

The previous iPhone 6 rumors had an estimated release date of September.