SEOUL, Aug 3: South Korea's Samsung Electronics said on Friday it would unveil a new mobile device this month, just weeks before the likely debut of the iPhone 5 from arch-rival Apple.

A spokesman for Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, declined to give details of the device to be shown in Berlin on August 29, two days before the opening of Europe's largest consumer electronics show IFA.

Analysts said it was likely to be an upgraded version of the Galaxy Note.

The announcement comes as the two tech giants are embroiled in a major courtroom battle in California over patents for smartphones and tablet computers.

Apple is seeking more than $2.5 billion after accusing the Korean firm of infringing designs and other patents. Samsung denies this and counter-charges that Apple infringed its patents for wireless communication.—AFP