1704*960 – the resolution pegged for upcoming iPhone 6

How? Multiply 568*320 by a factor of 2 – vertically and horizontally – and you’ll get a retina friendly 1136* 640 Retina resolution for the current iPhones.

Mark Gurman learned from different sources that the iPhone 6 will yield a 1704*960 pixel canvas:.

Just like with the transition to the iPhone 4′s Retina display in 2010 and the transition to the iPhone 5′s taller screen in 2012, Apple is preparing major resolution changes for the iPhone 6 that will require software changes by both Apple and developers, according to people briefed on the specifications of the new device.

What’s more interesting is that this new resolution would be retaining the 16:9 aspect ratio.

This resolution means 4.7-inch iPhone 6 would have 416ppi, which is above 300ppi for Apple’s Retina requirement. The 5.5-inch iPhone 6 would carry a 356ppi. The increased pixel density means sharper images and content compared to current iPhones. 

Sources told Mark Gurman that developers will be able to ‘better utilize the larger screen area’ for optimizing apps. Also, Gurman says Apple is working to optimize graphics across the iOS for fitting the 3X mode.

Despite the introduction, updating existing apps would be a long slog, even though vector graphic elements could be used by developers. However, bitmaps would emerge blurry unless developers add a 3x version to binaries. Apple is also working on a new ‘multi-resolution’ mode and develop toolset for easier form factor transitions.

“It is likely that developers will be provided with these tools later this year so that they can begin work on optimizing apps (if even necessary) for the new iPhone’s display,” writes the author.

It’s safe to say that Apple will be phasing out non-Retina devices like the iPhone 4 and 4s. And this new high-res assets mean developers would have to provide two graphic assets, one for iPhone 6 and one for 5s, 5c and 5.