iPhone 6 screens reportedly start production in May, coming in large and XL

Now that Samsung and HTC have announced their newest devices, expect iPhone 6 rumors to dominate for the next few months.

The latest: Apple’s manufacturing partners are reportedly gearing up production for the iPhone 6’s screens in May, which will come in 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch varieties, Reuters reports.

We’ve been hearing for a while that Apple was considering two new screen sizes for the next iPhone. The 4.7-inch screen would be a significant upgrade over the iPhone’s current 4-inch display, and it would make the iPhone 6 directly competitive to typical Android display sizes. The 5.5-inch screen, on the other hand, would be a grab for the big-screen “phablet” market (phones that are so big they look like tablets).

Reuters’ sources note that Japan Display, Sharp, and LG are all producing iPhone 6 displays for Apple. While the display manufacturers are reportedly ready to start producing 4.7-inch screens for Apple next month, it may be several months until they can start making the 5.5-inch panels.

Japanese gadget blog Macotakara recently posted some potential schematics for two iPhone 6 models, which also detail 4.7-inch and phablet sizes (the plans show a 5.7-inch screen, instead of a 5.5-inch version). Taking those schematics a bit further, designer Martin Hajek mocked up what the iPhone 6 could look like on the French Apple blog Nowhereelse.fr yesterday.

Hajek’s designs show far rounder edges than the iPhone 5S, as well as an insanely thin profile. Given how much competing smartphone designs have progressed since Apple released the iPhone 5 (just take a look at HTC’s new One), Apple will have to work hard to maintain its reputation for stunning design with its next iPhone.