MOBILE phone firm Nokia plans to unveil new, large-screen mobile handsets as it aims to step up the competition for Apple and Samsung in the smartphone market.

Sources said the new models will include a "phablet" - a common name for a smartphone - with screens over five inches.

Technology blogs have also said that Nokia plans to launch a tablet device.

The Finnish mobile phone company, which has fallen behind Samsung and Apple in recent years, has stepped up the pace of product launches in the past year in a bid to stem a decline in sales.

Market leader Samsung is leading the way in phablets and Apple remains the top seller of tablets.