Apple reportedly working on curved screen iPhones, improved touch sensors

Apple might be working on new iPhone designs, according to a report by Bloomberg. While quoting a person familiar with the plans, the source claimed that the new plans include bigger screens with curved glass and enhanced sensors that can detect different levels of pressure. This is not the first time that news of Apple working on a larger iPhone has surfaced, with earlier reports indicating that the company may have plans for models with a 4.8-inch display.

Two models reportedly planned for release in the second half of 2014 might sport larger displays with glass that curves downward at the edges. Sensors that can differentiate between heavy and light touches on the screen might be seen in subsequent models. The screen size of the two new models are said to be 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches, making them the largest iPhones that Apple has produced so far. The new models, if launched, will put Apple in the phablet category, along with competitor Samsung, which recently rolled out the 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 3.

Apple may be working on new iPhone designs

Apple isn't the first company to explore the curved-screen market space, given that companies like Samsung and LG have already come up with their own models for the same, namely the Galaxy Round and the G Flex respectively. The source, however, says that the new Apple handsets are still in development, and the plans themselves are still not complete. While a fixed date for the release was not mentioned, a release date around the third quarter of next year was hinted at, falling in line with Apple’s tradition of rolling out new products around fall.

While testing is currently underway for pressure-sensitive technology, the source claims that is unlikely to be ready for the next iPhone release, and instead will be integrated in later models. There has not been any confirmation from Apple about this, though, so there is no way to validate these claims, yet. The company, with its latest iPhone announcement, broke tradition when it unveiled not one but two new models. It also stepped out of its box with the announcement of the 5c, a relatively cheaper model that came with bright colours and a plastic casing.