Slimmer Galaxy S3 to Take on IPhone 5

The Galaxy S3 will measure in at 7-millimeters, almost 1.5 millimeters thinner than the last model in Samsung's flagship Galaxy series, leaked information indicates. The South Korean mobile manufacturer says it won't unveil the phone at the upcoming Mobile World Expo as expected, but instead in the first half of 2012, possibly May.

Samsung likely achieved the super-slim design by shrinking the internal components, like the printed circuit board, connector parts and chips. Galaxy S3 is likely to sport Samsung's first quad-core processor, offering multimedia options an 8-megapixel camera along with a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, prime for video calling.

A lean, sleek design holds much of the Galaxy S3's selling power, since portability is a top concern for consumers, and the slimmest smartphones often become the most popular. Some Android phones seem hefty next to an iPhone, but Samsung's Galaxy line sports large screens without a bulky shape.

Samsung doesn't hide the fact it wants to directly compete with Apple, with past Galaxy advertisement bordering on mocking iPhone users. Though Samsung says it would rather debut the phone closer to its commercial availability, pushing back release dates suggests a strategy to capitalize on attention. And since early reports suggest a summer release for iPhone 5, Samsung is potentially aiming for a head-to-head competition.

Because previous Galaxy models generated strong sales against iPhone, debuting the Galaxy S3 with novel features would sustain the growing rivalry between Samsung and Apple. As an added benefit, there is a built-in audience for a new and improved Galaxy model, since the phones are already Samsung's fastest-selling device. At present, Galaxy S2 is a highly touted model.

But the iPhone's growing expansion threatens Galaxy success. At the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, T-Mobile shared the news that it will support iPhone 5, which would help the struggling carrier potentially lure users away from Android-powered phones. The iPhone 4S added Sprint to its carrier list this past quarter, helping propel the device as one of the top models in the market. Adding another major U.S. carrier would help the Apple smartphone widen its lead.

It comes down to aesthetics, app choice and features as competitors aim to outshine Apple, and Samsung is positioning the Galaxy line as its best bet. A slim device that runs smoothly and offers strong performance might give Apple hardware a run for its money, but Samsung risks losing its edge in the market if Galaxy S3 fails to deliver and the iPhone 5 continues Apple's momentum.