Rumor implies screen a new iPhone focus

(Update: name and ship date rumors) An unusual rumor Monday night suggests that the screen will be the focus. In commenting on the apparent leak of Verizon iPhone plans, John Gruber oddly mentioned a list of specs he claimed were missing from the mention of the GSM phone expected in the summer that centered on the display: it would have a 960x640 screen, or four times the resolution of the current 480x320 model.

The author also alluded to an A4-family processor like that in the iPad, a front-facing camera for video calls and iPhone 4.0 with multitasking. These last two at a minimum may have indirect support from Apple itself, as pre-release iPhone 3.2 firmware has briefly shown references to video chat features and a questionable but noticeable allusion to multitasking.

A supposed taller iPhone design seen recently may support both the new screen and the front camera.

The tone of the commentary is half-joking and should still be regarded with skepticism, although Gruber is known to have reliable sources for iPhone-related news and has accurately called both the iPhone 3GS and new iMacs when no one else had significant data. Higher resolution displays are possible for the next iPhone as many new phones, such as the Droid and Nexus One, have 800x480 or 854x480 screens. Even denser resolutions are expected in devices this year, and a 960x640 screen would let Apple pixel-double as it does on the iPad without leaving blank spaces.

Update: Yet another rumor has contended that the new device would be named the iPhone HD and would ship on June 22nd. The Engadget date is unusual as it might fall a week before WWDC if early scheduling remains accurate.

By Electronista Staff

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iPhone, Apple, Droid, Nexus One