Apple iPhone 6: Design Specs, Release-Date Possibilities Emerge

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iPhone fans who had hoped for a new design this year might get their wish in 2014.

Two new iPhones are on the way that feature larger screens and glass that curves downward at the edges, a “person familiar with the plans” told Bloomberg. The smaller of the handsets will supposedly feature a 4.7-inch display (the current model’s display is just four inches) and the larger would have a 5.5-inch screen, landing solidly in the “phablet” category.

What else will be new? The same source says Apple is testing new technology that will enable future phones to distinguish between a light touch to the screen and a heavier one if not ready for the 2014 models, that feature should come down the road.

Apple’s well-known predictability came to an end in September when it unveiled two new iPhones at once for the first time the flagship 5s and the less-expensive iPhone 5c. The company is chasing Samsung in global market share. Multiple devices should help the Silicon Valley company make up some ground on the Korean giant.

Any hopes that Apple might break from recent tradition and release the new phones earlier in the year were dashed by the Bloomberg article, which says we’ll likely see them in the third quarter of 2014. Apple had no comment on any of the speculation.

Follow senior online managing editor @Craig_Galbraith on Twitter.