Samsung Looks For `Jet` Propulsion

The world`s second-biggest maker of mobile phones launches a range of new phones including a touch-screen model that it says is `smarter than a smart phone`.

According to Samsung, its new Jet model is not just another touch-screen phone - it's smarter than a smartphone.

Unveiled in a series of global launch events in major cities around the world, Samsung obviously has high hopes for the device which is aimed at the mid-range market.

Senior Vice President of Marketing Don Joo Lee spoke to Reuters ahead of the UK launch

SOUNDBITE: Donjoo Lee, Samsung spokesman saying (English):

"The Samsung Jet is different from previous touch phones from the view point of speed. We are using a very high-speed processor inside, at the same time we are using our internet browser which makes internet connection much easier, faster."

The screens of the Jet devices use a new kind of display technology called AMOLED.

SOUNDBITE: Don Joo Lee, Samsung spokesman saying (English):

"Which make display screen much brighter, brillianter. So you can use even under the sunshine, our screen can tell all the information to you."

Samsung also unveiled four new Omnia range models, all running Microsoft Windows Mobile software.

The cellphone market is expected to decline around 10 percent this year, but the market for so-called smart-phones is expected to rise between 10 and 20 percent. But with Samsung, Nokia, Apple and Palm all rolling out new models in the space of a couple of weeks - the competition is shaping up to be fierce.

Matt Cowan, Reuters