LG Corporation, the South Korean electronics maker, is capitalising on the growing popularity of phonelets in Thailand.
Models present the Optimus G Pro, LG’s flagship smartphone.
It hopes to double its local market share for the devices this year.
A phonelet is a new generation of smartphone that is larger than a phone but smaller than a tablet.
GfK Retail and Technology Asia, the global research firm, said smartphone sales in Thailand totalled 2.87 million units in the first four months of this year thanks to high sales volume in the Northeast.
Smartphones are expected to account for half of total handset sales in the local market this year, up from 42% in 2012 and 20% in 2011.
Sales of smartphones in Thailand reached US$800 million last year.
Sivakorn Damrongphatr, the marketing manager for mobile communications of LG Electronics (Thailand), said demand for phonelets in the Thai market has grown significantly, with sales expected to increase to 400,000 units this year from 300,000 in 2012.
LG is introducing LG Optimus G Pro, its flagship smartphone.
The phone, priced at 19,900 baht, features a 5.5-inch full high-definition display and 1.7-gigahertz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor.
Another highlight is dual cameras and dual video recording that allows users to capture pictures or video with both front and rear cameras simultaneously.
"Our phone will compete against the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in the high-end phonelet segment," said Mr Sivakorn.
He said phonelets are popular with Thais thanks to their multiple functions comprising mobile phone, tablet and camera.
The company plans to launch three new smartphones in the second half of this year, priced at more than 15,000 baht apiece.
"We intend to become the No.3 smartphone maker in Thailand this year with a 10% market share, up from 5% last year," he said, adding that LG's smartphone sales are expected to hit 2.5 billion baht this year.
LG plans to spend 200 million baht on marketing in 2013.