Report Apple plans largest iPhone ever

Looking for an iPhone later this year? Apple wants to cover your needs, whatever those may be.

Apple is planning to introduce a trio of new iPhone models, continuing its trend of multiple models released in the same calendar year to cover all bases and maximize iPhone sales. The planned trio will include the largest iPhone model ever, with a screen of around 6.5 inches; the update to the deluxe iPhone X; and a cheaper alternative, which includes some iPhone X features, according to Bloomberg.

In 2017, Apple unveiled the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus — the latest iterations of past iPhone models — and the iPhone X, with a bezel-less front screen, facial recognition and wireless charging.

Despite the media hype surrounding the iPhone X, Apple saw a disappointing debut for its iPhone sales last quarter. In its latest earnings report earlier this month, Apple said it sold 77.3 million iPhones in the final quarter of 2017, down 1 percent from the prior year.

However, Apple’s increased average selling price of iPhones — most notably with the iPhone X starting at $999 — generated 13 percent more revenue last quarter than in the same period a year earlier. The increase in smartphone revenue netted Apple a record 51 percent of global smartphone revenue share, accounting for more revenue than the rest of the entire industry combined, according to Bostonbased analytics firm Strategy Analytics.

All three of Apple’s new phones will have an updated operating system, likely called iOS 12, according to Bloomberg. They will include upgraded augmented reality capabilities through Apple’s ARKit platform, deeper integration of Siri voice assistant and digital health monitoring, Bloomberg reported.

The large iPhone model, codenamed D33, is Apple’s attempt to appeal to consumers looking for the multitasking abilities of the phone-tablet hybrids called phablets, according to Bloomberg.

Apple also plans to use OLED screen technology — which gives the iPhone X better resolution on lower battery consumption — and to include facial recognition technology known as Face ID, Bloomberg reported.