Apple, BlackBerry and Nokia Reluctant to Release Larger Phones

Apple AAPL has been rumored to release a five-inch iPhone for most of the year, but the company has yet to confirm any such details. While Nokia NOK is gradually increasing the size of its displays, its newest phone is limited to 4.5 inches. Its largest phone, the Lumia 625, has yet to be released. Related: Nokia Lumia Sales Rise 27% as Company Preps New Phablet BlackBerry's BBRY A10 -- the company's first smartphone with a five-inch touch display -- has yet to receive an official unveiling. But it is expected to ship sometime before the year's end. Android smartphone makers are well ahead of the competition in this regard. Samsung SSNLF, for example, has been developing the largest phones it can muster for more than a year. Samsung's biggest phone is not that much smaller than a tablet. Even the Galaxy S devices have transformed into bigger devices. The latest model features a five-inch display. HTC and LG have followed suit, releasing larger smartphones of their own. Non-Android smartphone makers have been reluctant to move in the same direction. Part of this is due to the fact that five-inch phones are too wide for most consumers to use with just one hand. This has not turned off the millions of people who have purchased the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note II, however. They are easily the most successful large-format smartphones available. Samsung is expected to release another Galaxy Note sometime this fall. Without any concrete details revealed, it is not yet known if and when Apple and Nokia will do the same. The iPhone 5S is largely believed to be a clone of the existing iPhone 5. Though it may feature a faster processor and a superior camera, the iPhone 5S is not expected to employ any notable form factor changes. There are rumors that Apple will launch several new iPhones this year, including a cheaper model. In 2012, the company might also release a third type of iPad. As for Nokia, DigiTimes' sources report that the company will release a five-inch smartphone to coincide with Windows Phone 8 GDR3 (general distribution release 3), which is expected to launch by the end of 2013. Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ