Get ready for this one: Samsung is rumored to be releasing a 12-megapixel camera phone at the 2009 Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona. Earlier today, Samsung’s upcoming 12-megapixel handset was first tipped for Mobile World Congress. 

Now, trusted Dutch source GSM Helpdesk are confirming the rumors, as well as offering more information on the optical zoom model believed to be using Samsung’s existing 8-megapixel sensor. It would be really nice if Samsung were to release both a new 8-megapixel cameraphone and a 12-megapixel device at Barcelona, but it sounds just a bit too good to be true.

However the rumor is credible simply because Samsung has a habit of being first to market with such pixel-happy cameras. Samsung and LG have been trading blows for the king of the cameraphone hill for awhile, most recently between the Renoir and the Memoir.

But of course, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Sony Ericsson pumping out something similar at the show; they’ve been showing off their 12 megapixel camera sensor for a couple of months now, and have been keeping up in the race with the 8 megapixel-camera-bearing C905.

Moreover adding the stronger camera gives Samsung an advantage for its high-end cellphones, many of which also have touchscreens and so compete against relatively modest smartphones like Apple's iPhone and HTC's Touch Diamond, which have 2- and 3.2-megapixel cameras respectively.

Reportedly the 12-megapixel Samsung phone will be a feature phone that will run on Samsung’s own OS.