We don’t really know anything about Apple’s plans for thenext-gen iPhone, but the consensus seems to be that it will feature alarger display. As Samsung and other rivals continue to gain marketshare with their 5-inch+ handsets, it’s believed that Apple cannot continue to avoid the so-called ‘phablet’ space.

And analysts couldn’t be happier. Why? Well just look at this new survey data published by Raymond James analyst Tavis McCourt. According to the data, one-third of American iPhone owners would be willing to pay an extra $100 for Apple’s next smartphone if it featured a larger display than its predecessor…

iphone 6 proto 3

Barron’sshares the report (viaBGR):

McCourt reiterates a claim he’s made before about a high degree of interest in alarger-screeniPhone:

It’s beenconsistently rumoredthat Apple is working on two new handsets: one with a 4.7-inch display and one with a 5.5-inch display, but there are still dozens of unanswered questions. For example, we don’t know yet if Apple will release both devices to the public, and we’ve heard very little about resolution.

iphone 6 proto

Concept images byMartin Hajek

Nevertheless, if there ever was a time for Apple to bump the iPhone’s display size to the 5-inch range, it would be this year. Considering it typically saves major hardware updates for non-s models, it could possibly be 2016 before we saw such a change if they didn’t do it this year. And that would bewaytoo late.

I’m all for an iPhone with a 5-inch+ display, and would gladly pay more for it. How about you?