Samsung Electronics Co. to release a bigger smartphone flagman along with the upgraded Galaxy Gear smartwatch

According to a person familiar with the matter, Samsung Electronics Co., which is currently dealing with slower smartphones demand, will release a new smartphone device that will have a larger 5.2-inch screen and sharper display than the current Galaxy S4.

The person with direct knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be named, because this information is still private, also reported that the new device will have an upgraded battery and a better camera, and is expected to be released at about the same time as an improved version of the companys Galaxy Gear smartwatch. A second person with knowledge of the matter said that the company may release the new device at a lower price compared with the previous models in the S series after being stimulated and supported by at least one wireless carrier.

New features are being added to the latest version of Samsungs most-popular device due to the fact the company is seeking to oppose the tumbling growth for premium smartphones, especially in times a horde of Chinese rivals provide customers with devices for as little as 100 dollars. Currently, Samsung Electronics Co. is still the largest smartphone manufacturer in the world. The new handset that is to be released by the company may be called the S5. The sales of its predecessor S4 posted last year missed analysts estimates.

One of the analysts working for Garner Inc. – Roberta Cozza, said in an interview, which was cited by Bloomberg: “For me, better specs don’t cut it. They need to find a way to get users to pick the Samsung brand across different types of devices to better compete with Apple.”

Jae H. Lee, who is an analyst working for Daiwa Securities Group Inc., said for Bloomberg: “Although the high-end market is slowing, Samsung, which dominates the premium market with Apple, will continue to release S-derived products. Thats still where most of the profits will be found.”

It also became clear that the company has not given a selling price to carriers yet. There is still a discussion concerning the price of the new device and it is yet to be decided whether the phone should be less expensive than the companys previous S models.

According to data released by IDC on January the 27th, both the shipments and market share of the company decreased during the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the ones posted during the same period in 2012. Samsung shipped 112 million mobile phones over the fourth quarter of 2013, which is less than the 113.6 million units shipped a year earlier.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd fell by 0.39% in Seoul to settle the session at 1 290 000 KRW and extended its decline to 6% this year, marking a market capitalization of 190 trillion KRW. Samsungs stock fell 9.9% in 2013, the first annual decline in five years.