Samsung is all set to take the wraps off the Galaxy S8 in New York on March 29. But we have already learned a lot of details about the device, thanks to a series of supply chain leaks, schematics, and unofficial accessories. Now official cases intended for the Galaxy S8 have surfaced online, confirming many of the rumored design changes. The Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are said to hit the store shelves on April 21st.
Fingerprint scanner goes to the back panel
The supposedly official cases are for the 5.8-inch (some say it’s 5.7-inch) Galaxy S8 and 6.2-inch S8 Plus. These cases appear to be legitimate because they have a cutout for the fingerprint scanner on the back, next to the rear camera. Several leaks, including the one from prolific tipster Evan Blass, have suggested that Samsung would ditch the physical home button and move the fingerprint scanner to the back of the phone. The home functionality will be embedded in the display.
The cutout on the left is large enough to house both the camera and the flash. A Samsung logo is printed right below the camera cutouts. Borders around the edges of the accessories indicate that the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus both will have curved displays, but the curves will be less edgy than the Galaxy S7 Edge. Samsung might be taking this approach to avoid accidental touches.
Chinese and Korean variants to have 6GB RAM
The upcoming phones are expected to feature Quad HD Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution. The top and bottom bezels will be reduced dramatically. Multiple sources told The Guardian last month that the new handsets would sport an “Infinity” display with bezels so slim that there won’t even be room for Samsung’s logo or branding.
These cases do not tell us anything about the phone’s internal specs. But according to a Chinese user of Twitter, the Galaxy S8 variant intended for China and South Korea would feature 6GB RAM with 64GB and 128GB of built-in storage. The 6GB+64GB model would cost 6,088 yuan while the 6GB+128GB variant would be priced at 6,488 yuan.
Samsung to tease Galaxy S8 on February 26
Europe, America, and other markets would get a third option: 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The US and European versions of the phone are expected to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, while other markets would get the Exynos-powered model. The device will have a USB Type-C port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Reports indicate that the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus would feature a 12-megapixel main camera and an 8MP selfie camera. Samsung is also increasing the battery size to 3,250mAh for the S8 and 3,750mAh for the S8 Plus model. Though the much-awaited handsets won’t be announced until March 29th, Samsung is rumored to show a one-minute teaser video of the Galaxy S8 at its MWC event on February 26 in Barcelona.
