Microsoft to Update Windows Phone 8 to Add Support for 5 Inch 1080p Display Handsets Coming in 2014

Android smartphones are known for their large screen sizes and full HD displays, but, Microsoft's Windows Phone 8, which is currently in the third position trailing behind Android and iOS supports only up to HD 720p displays. This situation is all set to change as Microsoft seems to be working on such a solution to make Windows Phone 8 compatible to large screen devices as well.

According to a TheVerge report citing an inside source, Microsoft is prepping to release the third update called "General Distribution Release" (GDR3), which will bring about the support to larger Windows Phone 8 devices that are speculated to be released before early 2014. Moreover, the report also confirms that the GDR3 update will add the 1080p full HD support to the handsets that will run on the OS.

So far, the lack of 1080p support is rumoured to be a downside when it comes to getting hardware manufacturer support. It is believed that HTC was set to launch its own 4.7 inch Windows Phone 8 device, known as the Zenith, but cancelled its plans because it would have a lower resolution screen than its current high-end Android range.

In the very near future everyone will look out to have Samsung Galaxy S4, a 5-inch 1080p handset that will likely set the standard for 2013 and beyond, at least in terms of screen quality. Hence, Microsoft will have to find it hard to compete if it cannot meet those standards, and even an rumoured GDR3 update is speculated to come at the end of this year, by when the Galaxy S4 would have been out for months by then.

If the Windows Blue update for Windows Phone arrives in early 2014 like various reports have indicated, then it makes sense for GDR2 to land during the summer and GDR3 to arrive by the end of the year. While the changes GDR2 would bring remain unknown, GDR3 could add some UI tweaks and changes to core apps including adding a third column to the start screen, in addition to allowing for bigger and higher-resolution handsets.

Given all the rumors, it seems Microsoft's mobile offerings are about to get bigger and sharper, which could help give them compete with Android heavyweights in the market.