Apple is to release a new range of Apple iPod minis complete with colour screens, according to reports.

News broke last week that a larger five-gigabyte iPod mini was to be released but now the addition of colour screens to the new minis could help sway even more consumers towards purchasing Apple’s successful MP3 player.

And according to rumour website ThinkSecret, the new colourful iPod minis could be showcased as early as next week.

The rumoured full-colour active-matrix TFT screens will allow Apple to distance itself from its monochrome image but will reportedly maintain its current size and offer a 176x132 resolution.

The colour LCD screens will improve the visibility brightly regardless of ambient lighting and will show clear even outdoors and in direct sunlight.

Prices have not been confirmed although the cost of a small active matrix TFT screen has considerably fallen in the past year and is likely therefore to not break the bank.