As we approach the new year, rumors for the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 are increasing.  Last week it was reported that the iPhone 5 will sport a 4-inch screen, though the exterior design will most likely stay similar to the iPhone 4 and 4S and will be released by summer 2012.  While the iPad 3 will have a thicker design to accommodate the twin light bar system needed for the higher resolution display, the device could be released by March 2012.

According to a post in Macotakara,  Hitachi Displays, and Sony Mobile Display Corporation have already began shipping 4-inch LCD display panels for unspecified devices as well as LCD display panels for the iPad 3.

The article also mentioned that in Spring 2012, Hitachi and Sony will merge with Toshiba Mobile Display to form a conglomerate called “Japan Display.”  Additionally, it’s expected that a Taiwanese company will provide LCD technology fo the iPad 4 in which the production process will be changed, since the structure of the iPad 4 will greatly differ from previous models.

However, another report stated that Apple is looking into Sharp’s  IGZO (indium, gallium, zinc) LCD panels to produce thinner devices with improved battery performance.

“The IGZO technology is perfect in that it offers near-OLED power consumption while having a lower cost and thinness that is only 25% greater than OLED, based on our checks,” said Jeffries analyst Peter Misek.

Only time will reveal the full details on Apple’s next generation of mobile devices, but there’s little surprise of rising rumors.  While Android OEMs scramble to launch 4.0 devices, some even before the end of the holiday season, expectations for the iPhone 5 will only continue to grow in the coming months.  The updates made to the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 could help Apple maintain their lead as far as device popularity goes, while extending certain software enhancements that deliver new cloud concepts to the general public.