Samsung is set to introduce smartphones with higher-than-HD resolution screens and iris verification, according to reports, sparking speculation that these will find their way into the vendor’s Galaxy S5.

According to ZDNet Korea, the South Korean handset number one is “past the technology developing stage” and is moving on to enabling mass production of the new features. The screen will offer a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels, compared with 1920×1280 pixels, while the iris technology is an alternative to the fingerprint reader used in Apple’s iPhone.

It was noted that Samsung is set to introduce a new high-end device at Mobile World Congress 2014, marking the first time it has used the event to launch a flagship device since the debut of the Galaxy S2 in 2011.

The Galaxy SIII and Galaxy S4 (pictured) had dedicated launch events, while the Note line was updated at the IFA event in September.

It was also suggested that Chinese vendor Vivo is set to offer a device with a similar resolution screen, while LG Electronics is also in the race – the company recently went head-to-head with Samsung for the commercialisation of devices with curved form factors.

Other reports suggest that the device will be powered by a 64-bit, octacore processor, although a Qualcomm-powered quadcore version is also likely. Mooted specifications include a 16 megapixel camera.

DigiTimes said that previous speculation that the device will feature a metal case may prove untrue, because no contract manufacturers have started mass production of such components for Samsung.

The ZDNet report also said that the Tizen OS platform is among Samsung’s priorities for 2014, although the company is unlikely to shift from Android in the Galaxy S flagship line.