iPhone 5 VS. iPhone 4S

At this point, there have been enough leaks that it's a safe bet that the next-generation iPhone is going to have a larger screen than its predecessor. A new set of pictures show how much bigger.

Numerous unconfirmed reports have indicated that Apple's next smartphone will be its first with a 4.0-inch display, after using a 3.5-inch one on all previous versions. Images leaking out of China, where the iPhone 5 is going to be produced, apparently show the front panel for this device next to one from an iPhone 4S.

 

If accurate, the images indicate that the next-gen iPhone will be marginally larger than its predecessor, but not dramatically so. This is because the bezels at the top and bottom of the handset have been reduced in size.

 

The display will reportedly use in-cell technology, and is getting a change in resolution, not just size: 1136 x 640 pixels, up from 940 x 640.

 

It is assumed that Apple is making this change because of competitive pressure from devices running the rival Android OS. Many of these have displays much larger than the iPhone 4S -- the very popular Samsung Galaxy S III has a 4.8-inch screen.

 

More iPhone 5 Details

This smartphone is supposedly going to be Apple's first with 4G LTE, giving it a considerably faster wireless connection to the Internet but raising questions about its battery life.

 

It is certainly going to launch running iOS 6, and it may do so on an Apple A6 processor. Other rumors speak of a slimmer design, which includes a smaller Dock Connector. The rear-facing camera may be upgraded from 8 MP to 12 MP.

 

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 5 on Sept. 12, and launch it a few days later, in Sept. 21. If the company follows its previous practices, the new version will sell for what the previous one does now.