[ THE INVESTOR ] Samsung Electronics has recently increased the production ratio of Galaxy S8+, the bigger-screen version of its new flagship smartphone, following positive early reaction from retailers, The Bell reported on April 5.



The Galaxy S8 comes in two variants -- the 5.8-inch screen Galaxy S8 and the bigger 6.2-inch S8+. Samsung plans to start receiving preorders on April 7 before its official launch on April 21.





Samsung Galaxy S8





Citing unnamed industry sources, the report said, Samsung has increased the production ratio of the Galaxy S8+ to 45 percent of total output from the previous 40 percent from mid-March.



The report added the Korean tech giant is also likely to adjust, possibly increase, the production ratio before the phone goes on sale later this month.



A key feature for the S8 is a larger-than-ever wraparound display screen. The ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 featured a 5.7-inch curved screen.



For its predecessor S7, the bigger Edge model made up 30 percent of the phone’s initial production volume but the ratio was raised to 70 percent at the end of last year due to the soaring demand.



The report said the production ratio is also expected to affect parts suppliers as the two models use some key parts such as camera modules from different suppliers.



Earlier, The Investor reported Samsung has more than doubled the S8’s initial production to some 20 million units compared to that for the S7.



By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)