Not every manufacturer has yet launched a smartphone with a display larger than 5 inches. Apple is probably the most notorious manufacturer not to have embraced the large display fad that is now sweeping the smartphone market. But it is not the only one. Other notorious holdouts include both BlackBerry and Nokia. But that could soon change.
A new report by Digitimes suggests that both BlackBerry and Nokia will launch smartphones with displays measuring at least 5-inches in the last quarter of the year. Given the number of rumours (especially around BlackBerry) about both launching larger-sized devices, Digitimes may be able to notch one in the victory column with its latest prediction.
Recent rumours have suggested that both manufacturers will get into the phablet game by the end of the year. BlackBerry is expected to launch its new flagship, the BlackBerry A10 (codename Aristo) with a 5-inch AMOLED display. As for Nokia, a recent rumour pointed to a 6-inch phablet running Windows Phone 8 GDR3 already being in mass production.
By the end of the year, Apple could well be the last first-tier smartphone manufacturer not to offer a phablet. Past rumours have suggested Apple will unveil the iPhone 5S, a refresh of its current iPhone 5, along with a cheaper model with a plastic case (the iPhone 5C?) but larger devices do not appear to be in the cards for now. Digitimes sources are the latest to indicate that the probability of an iPhone with a display larger than the current 4-inch model is “slim.”
Does Apple need a smartphone with a 5-inch or larger display? Let us know your thoughts below.
Source : Digitimes