With all of the rumors surrounding the possibility of a 7-inch iPad, a new report suggests that Apple is working on a totally new mobile product for 2013. The mysterious 5-inch device would feature a Retina display.
“According to a reliable Chinese source,” Japanese site Macotakara says the device will have a resolution of 1,600×960 or 1,280×960. LCD supplier contacts seem to think Apple is developing a 5-inch Retina display. Macotakara has a pretty shaky track record, so take this rumor with a gigantic grain of salt.
A 1024×768 iPad Mini has been the topic of much discussion lately, but the idea of a 5-inch device is new. Some have thought that Apple will make an iPhone with a larger 4-inch screen eventually, but 5 inches seems like an odd middle-ground. Developers would likely have to rewrite their apps entirely for a 5-inch device. Macotakara has no clue if it will be a phone or a tablet (phablet?).
There are plenty of reasons this rumor is likely a load of crap. The main thing to remember is that Apple is constantly prototyping different product variations and concepts. This 5-inch device could just be a prototype that will never see the light of day. We’re hoping that’s the case, anyway.
A Samsung executive recently said that Apple is planning to release a smaller iPad in the coming months, and rumors indicate that the device will likely ship close to the third quarter of this year. We’ll be on the lookout for any other news on a 5-inch device.
Alex Heath is a journalist who works for Tech Insider. He’s the former co-host of The CultCast. He has been quoted by the likes of the BBC, KRON 4 News, and books like “ICONIC: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation.” He lives in Lexington, Kentucky. If you want to pitch a story, share a tip, or just get in touch, additional contact information is available on his personal site. Follow him on Twitter.
