The iPhone 6 on release date will likely sport a screen size similar to close competitors Galaxy S4 and Nexus 5, new reports said, adding that a phablet prototype is now in the test drive stage.

The next iPhone, according to Unwired View, will be flashing a 4.9-inch screen profile, which is a giant leap from the 4-inch seen in the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S. Pointing to Chinese tech site C Technology as its source, the same report indicated too that Apple is planning to upgrade the screen size of its plastic-wrapped iPhone 5C.

The screen number jump, however, for the 5C was not provided though the report has attested that a 4.9-inch handset is currently being tested, softly implying that the tech giant has finally found the sweet spot for the screen of its first phablet offering.

Earlier, Bloomberg has reported that Apple indeed is looking to bump up the screen size of the next-generation iPhone, probably with two options for consumers to pick from. The publication claimed that once the new iPhones are unveiled on 2014, likely in the second half, Apple fans will get to choose from 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iOS smartphones.

Analysts affirmed the new iPhone menu yet according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 6 is unlikely to breach the 5-inch mark - a sentiment that concurs with new reports.

It was argued too that while Apple would be willing to finally ditch its 4-inch standard, the core consideration for a large-screen iPhone is one-hand navigation. So just like the Galaxy S4 and Nexus 5 before it, the iPhone 6 would have a stretched screen but not necessarily additional heft.

Within these parameters, the iPhone 6 would be confined from 4.5-inch to 5-inch, max, Mr Kuo said.

The C Technology report, Unwired View said, is silent on other specs and features that Apple would show via the iPhone 5S successor.

However, with clues pouring down from Apple patents and leaked reports, bits of the killer iPhone 6 features seem to be falling into place. It is said to be framed with a Liquidmetal case that gives nearly indestructible build.

Along with that, a bendable glass material would be part of the mix, which would allow for higher flexibility during the manufacturing process. The likely result would be a handset with wraparound display melding with the robust casing. The whole body - back, front and around the edges - will be covered in sapphire coating.

Under the hood, the source of power will be an A8 processing chip with 64-bit computing capabilities, which will be paired off with 4GB of RAM.

Release date is pegged in the second half of 2014 and new reports suggest that Apple will be forced to hike the starting price of iPhone 6, probably another $50 on top of the retail point of $200 with contract or $600+ for the unlocked versions.