Samsung is set to release the Galaxy S8 smartphone ahead of schedule in response to problems with the Galaxy Note 7 handset.
Reports that the Galaxy Note 7 has been overheating have been heard in various countries, forcing Samsung to recall the handset. As a result the Korean tech giant is apparently considering an early release of the Galaxy S8 in a bid to recover consumer confidence.
Source: FlickrSamsung to respond to Galaxy Note 7 recall
The smartphone was previously slated for release at the 2017 Mobile World Congress in February next year. However it now looks as though we may see the new handset long before that date.
Samsung is expected to release both flat and curved versions of the new smartphone. This would follow the pattern established with the S6/S6 Edge and S7/S7 Edge models that we have seen from the company.
The model numbers of the Galaxy S8 smartphones are reportedly SM-G950 and SM-G955. Curiously the S7 was number SM-G930, but Samsung is skipping SM-G940 due to the fact that the number 4 is considered to be unlucky in South Korea.
Powerful Galaxy S8 could launch earlier than previously thought
The smartphone will reportedly ship with a new Exynos 8895 processor, which clocks speeds of up to 3GHz while consuming just five watts of power. Samsung believes that the new chip will be quicker and more powerful than the A10 chip used in the Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
Samsung has not officially announced when it plans to release the Galaxy S8. The idea that it will be released early remains a rumor, and there is always the possibility that the phone will be unveiled at MWC 2017 as reportedly planned.
However the continued safety issues with the Galaxy Note 7 could mean that an early release of the upcoming smartphone is a good idea. Up to this point the Korean company has acknowledge 35 of the 92 reports that it has received about overheating Galaxy Note 7 handsets. If you have one of the smartphones and think that it could be faulty, go to the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 website to check if you are eligible for a replacement.
Lawsuit filed over exploding Galaxy Note 7
With a recall already issued, the Galaxy Note 7 problem has just got worse for Samsung after a company has sued the company. Jonathan Strobel has filed for damages after suffering severe burns when his new Galaxy Note 7 exploded in his pocket. The Florida man is seeking $15,000 in damages, the latest development in a debacle that has seen billions of dollars wiped off the value of Samsung stock.
The U.S. recall of the Galaxy Note 7 was formalized by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Thursday. Replacement devices will be made available in stores on September 21.
Samsung will surely be ruing the problem with the battery pack on the Galaxy Note 7, the smartphone that some had billed as an iPhone killer. The capabilities of the device may be impressive, but no one wants to buy a phone with a bad safety record.
Even if Samsung does release the Galaxy S8 earlier than planned, it could still lose significant ground to arch-rival Apple in the high-end smartphone market. Fans of the devices must be hoping that there is no lasting damage to the brand, which has forged a reputation for innovation in the field.
