Leaked Photos Show Larger, Rounded-Edged iPhone 6

Just after Apple confirmed the iPhone 5S' successful debut, rumors of the latest version of the device have begun to surface — this time with images.

In a blog post published Wednesday, blogger Sonny Dickson posted what he claims are images of the iPhone 6. Dickson wrote, "We’ve gotten our hands on some great photos of the iPhone’s rear casing in Space Grey."

The casing (picture below) has all the signature iPhone design elements, such as a camera and flash port, as well as the familiar Apple logo. But that's where the iPhone similarities end, as the larger size and rounded-edge frame shown in the photos are far more reminiscent of the iPad than any previous version of Apple's smartphone.

Earlier on Wednesday, the South China Morning Post released a report that described Apple's next iPhone in similar fashion. Citing industry insiders, the newspaper reported that the iPhone will come in two sizes: 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches, respectively, and will hit stores in September.

The SCMP also said sources claim that Apple will discontinue its cheaper iPhone 5C, but will keep the iPhone 5S in production using cheaper materials.

If that portion of the report turns out to be accurate, it would represent the first and biggest mobile-device misstep on Apple's part in the entire history of the iPhone. Pulling the iPhone 5C from the market so soon after its release would amount to Apple admitting that it made a huge mistake by rolling out the cheaper device alongside its flagship smartphone.

For its part, Apple hasn't officially announced the iPhone 6, or discussed any plans to discontinue the iPhone 5C.

Image: JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES

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How the iPhone 6 Might Look With a Larger Screen

Apple might be rolling out a larger iPhone later this year, but designer Federico Ciccarse didn't want to wait to see what a big-screen iPhone would look like.

Ciccarse created a series of concept photos that reveal what the iPhone could look like if it grows in size. Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported Apple will launch two new iPhones in the second half of 2014: one with a screen larger than 4.5 inches and one with a screen larger than 5 inches. The current iPhone 5S and 5C have screens that measure 4 inches diagonally.

The picture below is Ciccarese's vision for an iPhone with a 5.5-inch display (1,568 x 878 pixels) as well as one with a 4.7-inch (1,338 x 750) display. The 4-inch iPhone 5S (1,138 x 649) is shown to the left.

The move from the iPhone 4-inch display would dip into the much-debated "phablet" category, a vague domain caught somewhere between a tablet and smartphone. It's either a category people love — or love to hate. But Apple competitors such as Samsung have successfully offered larger screen sizes.

Ciccarese opted to give his concepts a curved back, even though the Journal report indicated the coming models will be flat.

IMAGE: FEDERICO CICCARESE/GETTY IMAGES

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HP Launches Two Huge Smartphones in India

Hewlett-Packard announced two extra-large smartphones Wednesday, both "phablet" devices for the Indian market.

Originally reported by Re/code, the devices will be called Slate 6 and Slate 7 and have 6- and 7-inch screens, respectively. Both phablets will run Android 4.2.2 and have a quad-core processor, 16GB of storage with the option to expand that with MicroSD memory cards.

But don't expect them to hit U.S. shores anytime soon, as these babies will first be available in India.

"Consumers are looking for a way to consolidate devices. We think there’s an opportunity to enter a growing market where there’s an unmet need,” Ron Coughlin, vice president of HP's consumer PC business, told Re/code.

Both devices will hit store shelves in February at a yet-undisclosed price.

HP abandoned the smartphone business a few years ago, but rumors of the company's plans to launch Android smartphones and tablets intensified in 2013. Now that the cat is out of the bag, the main question is: How big are HP's plans for Android?

In any case, these two phablets definitely aren't the last such devices HP plans to launch. “I won’t say where or when, but you can expect us to do more in the coming months,” said Coughlin.

Update: Shortly after the initial Re/code report, HP officially announced the two phones.

Image: HP

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