Apple already testing next-gen iPhone with iOS 7

Apple is reportedly testing the next iteration of its wildly popular iPhone, alongside the recently coded iOS 7.

Indeed, AppleInsider has confirmed that it tracked visits from a number of devices running a pre-release build of iOS 7 in the month of December.

Meanwhile, iOS developers who contacted The Next Web say they spotted a device labeled “iPhone6,1” running iOS 7 in their logs, with IP addresses originating from Apple’s corporate headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.

According to analyst Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets, the “iPhone 5S” will be available in a variety of colors beyond the current black and white, including pink, yellow, blue, green, purple, silver and slate shades. In addition, the new handset may also be offered in multiple screen sizes.

“We believe this is about to change with the next iPhone offering different screen sizes that we believe will allow Apple to better bifurcate the market and expand its reach,” White opined in a recent industry note.

“This eventually opens up the possibility for a lower-priced iPhone (i.e., iPhone mini) with a smaller screen size that could allow Apple to further penetrate markets such as China and open up opportunities in India.”

White’s assessment certainly makes a lot of sense, as a revamped iPhone lineup with multiple screen size would allow Apple to better compete against rival Android handsets which are available in a wide variety of form factors and sizes.