Report: Next iPhone Could Feature Curved Display
Is Apple following Samsung and LG's lead?
Samsung and LG already have phones with curved displays on the market; the latest rumors say Apple will follow suit next year. Bloomberg cites a source familiar with Apple's plans that says the company is working on new iPhone designs that include bigger screens with glass that curves down at the edges.
This new design will apparently be available in two sizes, a 4.7-inch version and a 5.5-inch version, though Bloomberg's source says the phones are still in development. The source also talked about sensors that can differentiate between varying levels of pressure on the screen.
Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Round smartphone with a curved display in early October. The device features a 5.7-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display that curves inwards from either side. Powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 SoC (MSM 8974) clocked at 2.3 GHz and 3 GB of RAM, Samsung said last month that the device is more of a prototype for testing the waters than anything. However, with a competing device from LG (the G Flex) and the possibility of a curved iPhone on the horizon, we imagine it won't be long before Samsung starts work on a more serious effort.
LG's G Flex isn't out yet, but the device is headed to Europe in early 2014. The G Flex features a 6-inch curved plastic OLED display and curves top-to-bottom as opposed to side-to-side. It's based on a 2.26 GHz Snapdragon 800 and Adreno 330 graphics.
Follow Jane McEntegart @JaneMcEntegart. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
-
andry0187 everyone just add up what already on market : bigger phone, curved display, even the design looks like mac mouseReply -
JD88 If Apple does release a curved display, who wants to bet they will try to claim some sort of technological innovation?Reply -
guvnaguy I can see a screen size increase, but not curvature.Reply
If they did, however, I can guarantee it will be the next 'big innovation"
wait a minute.... -
InvalidError If I had a curved phone, I would be worried about cracking it by crushing it between two relatively flat surfaces. Unnecessary curvy devices annoy me since they do not stack or pack very well/safely/efficiently.Reply -
Cons29 if it doubles as a mouse, it would be fun to put an expensive phone on its face and drag it around a surface.Reply
my take, the technology is here, they just need to think of creative ways to use it. -
audiophillia NOOOO. I have been using iPhones because of the smaller screens and powerful hardware. God I am getting tired of the huge phones seriously. I remember a time when we made fun of the iPad saying it was just a big ass iphone. Now look at use with 4.7 in phone everywhere.Reply -
JD88 I'm not sure what advantages there are to a curved screen anyhow. If someone can think of something, please enlighten me.Reply