In the wake of Samsung's loss in a patent infringement suit with Apple, Samsung is reportedly launching a 'Mini' version of its popular Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone. Perhaps ironically, Samsung may launch the phone around the time of the iPhone 5's September launch.

SamMobile reported that Samsung will launch 2 devices: the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini, and the Samsung Galaxy S3 Plus. The devices will launch in the fourth quarter of 2012, towards Christmas, which pits them directly against the probable holiday rush for Apple's latest smartphone. SamMobile added that the devices are intended "specifically" for the holiday shopping period.

The S3 Mini will have a 4-megapixel camera, an unidentified dual-core processor, and a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen with WVGA resolution. €250 is the cost of the phone, with the report claiming the iPhone 5 will cost approximately €650 with an identical screen size.

On the Samsung Galaxy S3 Pus, it will carry a higher price at between €300-400. Apple will probably offer the iPhone 4 at a lower price, maybe even supporting the iPhone 3GS for a another year if iOS 6 support is any indication. Apple markets the latter as a budget device.

Samsung, apparently, wants a device at every price level to combat Apple. It will have the Samsung Galaxy S3, and its high end device will probably be the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 2 "phabelt", and the Samsung Galaxy S3 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini as low-end devices.

The iPhone 5 is rumored to use a 4-inch screen, as Apple caves into the precedent set by Android and Windows Phone device manufacturers. The Samsung Galaxy S3 is 4.5 inches, while Google's Samsung Galaxy Nexus is 4.8. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 may be around 5.5 inches, judging by the screen size of its predecessor. Along with the company's smartphones, Apple is rumored to be launching an iPad Mini later in 2012, possibly in October, which will rival Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1.

The news signals an ongoing battle between Apple and Samsung for users' holiday purchases.