Nokia is planning a big-screen Windows Phone for release later this year. Sources familiar with Nokia's plans have revealed to The Verge that the company is currently testing a 6-inch device with the latest version of Windows Phone. Codenamed "Bandit," the handset includes a 1080p display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor. We understand that Bandit will be the first of many planned 1080p Windows Phone devices.

We're told that the Bandit will ship with a rear camera that is at least 20-megapixels, and a slight hump at the rear of the device (similar to the Lumia 925) to accommodate the camera. We understand the Bandit is thin and lightweight, and includes a polycarbonate body. Microsoft is currently improving Windows Phone to support devices like the Bandit, with extra changes for 1080p displays, and an additional column of Live Tiles on the Start screen. The latest Windows Phone update, GDR3, also includes rotation lock, a Driving Mode option, and some minor UI changes.

Lumia 925 coming to more carriers

We're also told that Nokia is planning to launch its existing Lumia 925 handset on additional carriers in the US soon, extending its availability as a Lumia 920 replacement. Nokia's big-screen Bandit device is currently being tested at AT&T, and we understand it will debut by the end of the year in the US.