With Samsung’s Galaxy S8 set to be released next month, the Korean company have delivered a number of rumors that users have found both good and bad regarding the prospective design and potential features of their new device.
Design
If the rumors are true, the S8 will almost certainly be Samsung’s best device to date. This next-generation smartphone should see a new screen, faster processor and improved camera. A recently leaked image showed a lack of home button replaced with a curved display that covered almost the entirety of the phone’s front. This all-screen theory was backed up by leaked images of screen protectors shared by DforDesign. The company is also expected to release not one but two versions of the device, a standard 5.8 inch model alongside a 6.2 inch Plus version.
Battery life
However, certain news comes as a blow to Samsung users who year after year cite battery life as their number one concern. According to the same company official that released information regarding the phone’s dimensions, the 5.8 inch device is said to be fitted with a 3000mAh and the 6.2 inch with a 3500mAh battery. Previous rumors hinted at 250mAh more than this. Last year’s phones, the 5.1 inch Galaxy S7 and the 5.5 inch Galaxy S7 Edge had 3000mAh and 3600mAh batteries, respectively and although Samsung’s next generation Exynos and Snapdragon chipsets will without a doubt be more power efficient than last year, displays still remain the biggest drain battery life.
Display
Samsung has been making a huge push with VR through promotion of it’s VR headset, sparking theories that the S8 may come with a 4K screen. However, there has also been a fleeting rumor led by Chinese sources that the phone will have a UHD display. It has even been rumored that Samsung will release a folding phone in 2017, but this untested tech is unlikely to be attached to the company’s flagship. We should see updates to the Always On Display (AOD), a feature that debuted with the Galaxy S7 and then improved further on the Note 7. Samsung added a music player onto this area and future updates may even allow third parties such as Spotify to add their own widgets.
The Viv Al
This is one thing that has been confirmed by Samsung. The S8 will run the Viv Al assistant which will work seamlessly alongside a large number of apps. This is said to come with the option of a male or female voice, named Bixby and Kestra.
Price
The earliest cost rumors claim $850 (approximately £655/AUD$1120) for an SIM-free S8. However, there is no solid evidence to back this up although we would expect a slight price rise from the S7. Another claim, free of solid evidence, states that the materials used to make the device are 28% more costly than the S7.
Other features
Another possible feature that may come as a disappointment to users us the lack of the headphone jack. Instead the phone is set to feature a USB-C port that will come with an adapter. We could also see an iris scanner, giving users an additional phone unlocking option. This added security will certainly be beneficial to most, but may be a difficult task to succeed in if on the move. Another source claims 64GB and 128GB storage options, a microSD card slot and, maybe the most odd rumor of all, a mini-projector.
