Samsung’s next-gen flagship smartphone Galaxy S8 is said to feature exciting new features as Samsung looks to regain the faith of customers after the Galaxy Note 7 debacle. A new report coming out of South Korea claims that the handset will feature a force touch display, similar to the ones used in the latest iPhones. Supply chain sources familiar with the matter told The Investor that the Galaxy S8 will be Samsung’s first smartphone with the pressure-sensitive display. However, full adoption of the technology for other handsets will take up to two years.
Samsung Display supplies 3D touch displays to Huawei
Apple and Huawei already use pressure sensitive display technology in their smartphones. It shouldn’t be difficult for Samsung to use the technology in Galaxy S8. Samsung’s sister-firm Samsung Display is the biggest supplier of force touch displays to Huawei. The force touch or 3D touch displays can detect how hard you press on the screen, serving you different options and shortcuts.
An executive at Samsung’s component division told The Investor that the Korean company was working on a pressure sensitive display that will be adopted “in the near future.” Earlier this year, Samsung Electro-Mechanics filed several patents related to the technology in South Korea. Samsung has not confirmed anything regarding the feature, so the report should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Samsung to launch Galaxy S8 in two sizes
Google has been paying more attention to 3D touch technology. The company has added a new 3D touch-based feature called App Shortcuts to the Android Nougat 7.1. A bigger challenge for smartphone vendors will be to get developers onboard.
A few days ago, noted tipster Evan Blass leaked the model numbers of the Galaxy S8. Blass said the Korean electronics giant will skip SM-G94* numbering. Samsung might be skipping it because the number “4” is often associated with bad luck in South Korea. The Galaxy S8 model numbers are SM-G950 and SM-G955. The company is planning to launch the S8 in two different sizes: 5.7-inch and 6.2-inch. Reports indicate that the 6.2-inch model is aimed at Galaxy Note 7 customers.
Galaxy S8 testing to begin in January
Both variants of the S8 are said to feature curved OLED displays – there will be no flat-screen. Samsung is expected to start testing the Galaxy S8 in January. According to supply chain leaks, the suppliers have been asked to supply an initial batch of parts for the Galaxy S8 in January. They will be used to assemble the first prototypes for testing. Full volume supplies are scheduled to begin in February.
The Galaxy S8 is also rumored to feature an artificial intelligence assistant, thanks to Samsung’s acquisition of Viv Labs. According to the Wall Street Journal, the S8 release could be pushed back to April as the company is planning to add a physical button on the side of the device.
