Mobile techno

Rumor has it that the next version of the iPhone will have a significantly larger screen.

Reuters on Wednesday reported that Apples new iPhone will have a massive 4.6-inch "retina display". Reuters obtained the tip from a report in the South Koreas Maeil Business Newspaper citing an "unnamed industry source."

If the rumor is true, it would put the iPhone on par with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus from a size perspective, which boasts a sprawling 4.65-inch screen. In comparison, every version of the iPhone to date has had a 3.5-inch display.

But Cupertino has apparently settled on the new 4.6-inch screen and has placed orders with its suppliers, according to the Reuters report. Apple will reportedly launch the device in the second quarter.

However, rumors from earlier this year indicated that the new iPhone will have a 4-inch screen. Back in January, the blog 9to5Mac claimed to have "reliable sources" at Apples supplier Foxconn who said workers were gearing up to start production on the new iPhone. At the time, there were several models floating around, and Apple had yet to pick the final version, but all included at least 4-inch screens.  

MacRumors called the new rumor about the 4.6-inch screen "questionable" and "hard to believe" but speculated that a 4-inch screen is still possible.

Will the new iPhone really have such a large screen? That remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Apple is also reportedly exploring other screen sizes for its tablets and laptops. An unnamed Samsung official reportedly told The Korea Times recently that Apple is planning to launch a smaller iPad with a 7.85-inch screen by the end of the year. Current iPads have 9.7-inch screens.

And, more evidence that Apple is planning to launch a 15-inch MacBook Air recently emerged. A number of rumors have suggested that Apple would add a notebook of that size to its line of super-slim computers. There have also been rumblings about a 14-inch MacBook Air, but a 15-inch machine would make more sense, especially because Apple has offered laptops in that size for many years.