Samsung goes for larger, sharper display in new phones

Samsung Electronics, facing slower demand for smartphones, will release a new device with a larger 5.2-inch screen and sharper display than the current Galaxy S4, a source said.

The new phone, with an improved battery and camera, will be released about the same time as an upgraded Galaxy Gear smart watch, the source said.

Samsung might start selling the new phone for less than previous models in the S series, another source said.

Samsung is adding features to the latest version of its most-popular device as it tries to fight stalling growth for premium smartphones, new models from Apple, and a plethora of Chinese competitors selling devices for as little as US$100.

The world's biggest smartphone maker is releasing its new phone, which may be called the S5, after sales of the predecessor S4 unveiled last year fell short of analyst estimates.

"For me, better specs don't cut it," Gartner analyst Roberta Cozza said. "They need to find a way to get users to pick the Samsung brand across different types of devices to better compete with Apple."

Asia's biggest technology company plans to debut the device at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week.