Samsung Galaxy S II out in US next month

SEOUL, South Korea  — Samsung plans to roll out its top line Galaxy S II smartphone in the United States next month.

Shin Jong-kyun, president of the company’s mobile communications business, made the announcement yesterday at the South Korean launch of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer.

Shin did not say, however, exactly when during August the smartphone would be available for American consumers, nor did he provide further details.

Apple Inc. has yet to release a new iPhone model for this year, though analysts are expecting one in September, so Samsung may be hoping to get a leg up on its American rival amid intensifying competition for smart devices.

Cupertino, California-based Apple, which on Tuesday announced stellar earnings results for the fiscal third quarter that ended in June, is enjoying strong sales of its iPhone in Asia, including Samsung’s home turf of South Korea.

Apple sold 20.3 million iPhones during the quarter, millions more than analysts had expected. The popularity of smart devices has exploded worldwide since the 2007 launch of the iPhone./ap