Samsung brings smaller version of S4 to US

South Korea’s Samsung Electronics on Thursday, May 30, 2013, unveiled a slimmed down version of its flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone (in photo) as the company looks to tap the mid-range market. AP FILE PHOTO

SAN FRANCISCO – Samsung is making a smaller version of its flagship Galaxy S4 phone available in America next month.

The screen is 4.3 inches (10.9 centimeters) diagonally, compared with 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) for the regular S4. Nonetheless, the Mini version is still larger than the latest, 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) iPhones.

Phone companies have been making their flagship devices in multiple sizes to appeal to a broad range of consumers. Some may prefer a smaller device that fits nicely in a pocket, while others want the larger text that comes with the bigger screen.

AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and U.S. Cellular will sell the Mini. Prices are likely to be about $100 with a two-year agreement. Samsung says a software update will make the Mini compatible with its new Galaxy Gear computerized watch.

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