Though Nintendo’s third iteration of its successful handheld the DSI only arrived in Europe and North America a few months ago, Japan’s often reliable newspaper Nikkei has predicted that a new version of the handheld will be released in Japan before the end of the year.

The fourth version of the DS is said, according to Joystiq, to boast a 4” screen – a fair bit larger than the 3.25” screens seen on the current DSi.

Nikkei adds that the new model will replace the existing one and retail for exactly the same price – YEN 18,900. Older users are said to be driving force behind the visual upsizing.

A Japanese release is apparently planned for later this year, though Nintendo has yet to thrash out its international launch plans, according to the source.

Nintendo has dubbed the reports as nothing more than speculation.