Samsung Elec to advance launch of next Galaxy S phone

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. plans to bring forward the unveiling of its next Galaxy S smartphone to January in an attempt to compete better with rival Apple Inc’s new iPhones, South Korea’s Electronic Times reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

Samsung has in recent years announced new Galaxy S smartphones on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress trade show, which usually takes place between late February and early March. The world’s top smartphone maker unveiled its Galaxy Note 5 device in August this year, however, earlier than the typical September announcement.

A Samsung spokeswoman said the firm does not comment on rumours or speculation.

The South Korean firm has been unable to arrest its smartphone market slide despite a product line up revamp. Researcher TrendForce says Samsung’s smartphone shipments will shrink by 1% this year, marking the firm’s first-ever annual decline.