Apple will not increase the screen size of the forthcoming fifth iteration of the iPhone to compete with the next generation of Android devices, an analyst has claimed.
The company is widely expected to be gearing up for an October launch for the iPhone 5, introducing a raft of new features including a redesigned shape, better camera and wireless charging.
However, there have also been rumours that Apple will increase the size of the handset's screen in response to new smartphones running the latest version of Android Gingerbread OS.
Many new Android phones have screen sizes of around 4 inches, compared to just 3.5 inches for the iPhone 4, while some forthcoming Android handsets will boast screens of up to 4.5 inches.
Despite its massive success and huge sales, the launch of the latest iPhone comes as Apple is increasingly losing market share to phones running Google's Android OS.
Sales of Android-supported devices surpassed their iOS counterparts during the first quarter of 2011, accounting for 36% of the market, compared with 18.8% for Apple. In the second quarter of this year, Android's share of smartphone sales rose to 46%, while Apple ranked in second with 20%.
As a result, Apple was rumoured to be preparing to increase the screen size of the iPhone 5 from the previously planned 3.5 inches to around 4 inches.
A leading Wall Street analyst confirmed that all indicators suggest an October launch for iPhone 5, but moved to play down the speculation about an increase in screen size.
In a note to clients reported by the International Business Times, Pacific Crest Securities analyst Andy Hargreaves wrote: "iPhone 5 component orders increased for FQ4 (September) and FQ1 (December); timing of orders continues to suggest an October launch.
"FQ4 orders for iPhone 5 increased ~700k; timing continues to suggest an October launch. iPhone 5 screen size likely to be same as iPhone 4."
The iPhone 4, launched in June last year, features a "retina display" screen that delivers a 960×640 pixel resolution and offers a contrast ratio four times higher than its predecessor, the 3GS.
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