Larger iPhone 6 Being Tested With Curved, Pressure Sensitive Touch Panels

We’ve suspected for quite some time now that Apple has been testing a new, larger form factor iPhone for introduction as the next flagship iPhone (the “iPhone 6”, if you may) next year, but we’re learning that Apple is working on a new iPhone that will bring a whole other set of new features and improvements to Apple’s next big thing. According to Bloomberg, Apple is testing new iPhones that range from 4.7-inches to 5.5-inches with a curved glass front panel, a la the new Samsung Galaxy Round.

But wait, that’s not all – according to the same report, Apple is also testing new pressure sensitive touch panels for use in the new iPhone, which would allow a whole new dimension of use for iOS and third party applications. The technology is said to be able to detect many different levels of touch pressure, though Bloomberg seems less sure that these panels could be ready in time for the next-generation iPhone launch, which they expect to occur in the third quarter of 2014.

A larger screen option seems a lock at this point, however it’s important to take everything – especially these reports of curved glass and a pressure sensitive display with a grain of salt, as Apple is likely in the early planning stages of development of their new iPhone following the release of the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c just last month. All of that said however, all of these rumors combined paint the picture of a new, drastically different iPhone that should appeal to those who skipped out on Apple’s latest lineup due to their similarity to the previous generation iPhone 5. These will be rumors to keep an eye on, and we’ll be sure to keep you in the know with the latest on Apple’s next iPhone.