Smartphone makers such as Samsung Electronics Co. and Sony Corp. have launched their latest mid-range smartphones in South Korea, targeting the niche segment between flagship and low-end smartphones.

Samsung began selling the Galaxy A8 smartphone on Wednesday via SK Telecom, the nation's top mobile carrier.

With a 5.7-inch screen and better camera capabilities, the A8 smartphone is touted as the closet mid-range smtphone to the flagship Galaxy S series.

The A8 is priced at 649,000 won ($583) in South Korea.

SK Telecom also plans to release its own budget smartphone, the Luna 2, this month.

Designed by SK Telecom and manufactured by Taiwan's Foxconn as a contractor, the Luna 2 smartphone is equipped with fingerprint recognition.

The price of the Luna 2 smartphone is expected to be set at about 650,000 won.

Japanese firm Sony unveiled the Xperia XZ smartphone in South Korea on Wednesday, which is touted as Sony's first flagship smartphone and provides a 13-megapixel front camera.

Using Sony's "triple image sensing technology," it allows users to capture beautiful images in motion with true to life colors in virtually any conditions, Sony said.

Industry observers expect competition for the mid-range smartphone segment to heat up until Apple Inc. releases its iPhone 7 in South Korea late this month. (Yonhap)