Digitimes is reporting today the next iPhone may have a curved screen (old fan-made mock-up pictured above).
Digitimes, citing industry sources, is claiming Apple has purchased 200 or 300 glass-cutting machines. The expensive glass-cutting equipment will be used by glass makers wary of making such an expensive investment on their own. According to their source, the machines will be stored at "associated assembly plants and will be brought online once yield rates for the production of curved glass reaches a satisfactory level."
This of course is in contrast to other reports, and even Digtimes' previous reports, that the next iteration of the iPhone would use the same form factor as the iPhone 4. However, if Apple does implement curved displays they would most likely resemble Samsung's "Countour Display," implemented in the Nexus S. The idea behind the slightly concave glass of the Nexus S is that it fits better in the hand when held against the head.
While a slight design change would be welcome, concave and curved displays traditionally deal with glare and reflection problems. There is a reason CRT monitors and televisions aren't too popular anymore (although those are convex).
Source: Digitimes
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