In the last couple of weeks we have heard a lot of speculation regarding the size of the screen that may be used on the iPhone 5, with many fans of the device hoping it will be at least slightly bigger than the current model. Today we have news of a reported 5-inch screen for an iPad Mini or iPhone 5 being in the pipeline.

According to an article over at MacRumors by way of Japanese blog Macotakara, Apple is reportedly working on a new device that is due to be released next year and will feature a 5-inch Retina Display. The device in question will have a resolution of either 1,600 x 960 pixels or 1,280 x 960 pixels.

There has been a number of rumours for a while now that Apple were working on a smaller version of the iPad, which has been claimed in the past will feature a 7.85-inch screen using the same 1024 x 768 resolution found on the original iPad and the iPad 2. Despite having a smaller display size compared to the standard iPad, the iPad mini calculations suggest the display size will still fit in with Apple’s design guidelines.

This would help keep interface elements of existing iPad applications at a physical size that wouldn’t affect usability. Having a mobile product with a 5-inch display at either 1600 x 960 or 1280 x 960 would create extra difficulties for developers if it was designed to use App Store applications. The resolution would make it harder to scale existing apps for the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to work and fit on the new device’s screen.

Developers would need to work on yet another set of screen dimensions with their applications, and Macotakara has a mixed record when it comes to claims with Apple products in the past. Could the new 5-inch screen be for the new iPhone 5 or the new iPad Mini, this is very questionable as no one knows for sure what the new Retina Display size will be put on, and it could be just unfounded rumours.