Samsung Electronics Co., the world's largest smartphone maker, said Thursday that it has started construction on a new R&D center in California.

The new R&D center in Mountain View, California, is expected to open in December next year, it said in a U.S. press release, adding that the state-of-the-art campus will provide the infrastructure necessary to support Samsung's open innovation and university collaboration activities.

The new state-of-the-art R&D center will provide an "outstanding environment" to support its plans for strategic growth, Samsung said.

The campus will include two new six-story class-A office buildings and two parking structures.

Beyond Silicon Valley, Samsung is continuing to expand its facilities across the United States, with increased investment and significant new employment opportunities.

The brand new R&D center will be operated by Samsung Research America headquartered in Silicon Valley. Samsung Research America is engaged in researching emerging technology to create new businesses, and developing core technology to enhance the competitiveness of Samsung products. (Yonhap news)