New reports from China indicate that Samsung is reviewing its camera arrangements for the Galaxy S8 flagship. It had been widely anticipated that the Korean corporation would include a dual-camera setup as part of this premium device. But it seems that Samsung is ready to drop this camera setup, and instead stick with a single camera approach.
Galaxy S8 – Dual-camera scrapped?
It seems that Samsung is experiencing logistical difficulties with delivering this technology, and is now seriously considering scrapping the dual-camera Galaxy S8. It had been expected that Samsung would release two separate models of the Galaxy S8, with one featuring this dual-camera setup. But this plan must now be in doubt based on the latest reports emanating from East Asia.
This would be something of a blow to Samsung, if indeed the corporation is unable to deliver a dual-lens in the Galaxy S8, particularly as Apple is reportedly testing a similar system for the iPhone range. The information has come from the increasingly informative Chinese social media site Weibo, with an insider whose predictions have come true on several occasions previously indicating his belief that Samsung has shelved the dual-camera in the S8.
It is thought that cost may have played a role in this decision, with Samsung recognizing that it needs to reduce the price of its devices in the extremely competitive smartphone marketplace. The recession of the mobile niche has meant that even major market players such as Samsung and Apple are having to think about market strategies and expenses particularly diligently. It could be that the dual-camera setup was simply too expensive for Samsung, and that the Korean corporation will instead concentrate on delivering an outstanding Galaxy S8 at an extremely competitive price point.
Mobile World Congress debut
It also seems increasingly likely that Samsung will debut the Galaxy S8 in February, with the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona yet again a probable venue for this announcement. In 2017, the Mobile World Congress is set to run between February 27 and March 2, and it seems likely that we will see a Galaxy S8 unveiling early in this event. If previous precedent is to be accepted, we can reasonably expect the first glimpse of the Galaxy S8 one day before this show gets underway, on February 26.
Meanwhile, reports are suggesting that Samsung is considering a quite considerable design overhaul for the Galaxy S8. One of the most interesting whispers from Korea is that Samsung will ditch the Home button in the Galaxy S8, and instead integrate this functionality into the smartphone’s display. This will be a familiar suggestion to fans of Apple devices, as it has long since been rumored that Apple will do something similar with future iPhone releases.
A video from Android blog Techdroid shows a Galaxy S8 render based on the suggestion of an integrated Home button, and some observers and analysts believe that there is an increasing possibility that this technology will indeed see the light of day when the Galaxy S8 is released.
Bezels to be slimmed down
In accordance with this suggestion, it is also being rumored in some quarters that the Galaxy S8 could benefit from slimmer bezels when the smartphone is released. This is another feature which has been linked with the iPhone 8 as well, with the fashion for slimmer surroundings of displays of smartphones now becoming vogueish.
Park Won-sang a Principal Engineer for Samsung Display, has indicated that the corporation is working on introducing a new display with a greater than 90% screen-to-body ratio. Samsung has already displayed this tendency in its range of televisions, and it seems that this design parameter will now migrate to its mobile range as well.
4K resolution coming
One of the most exciting suggestions regarding the Galaxy S8 is that Samsung may finally introduce a 4K resolution display. 4K resolution is now becoming increasingly mainstream, with the recent release of the Sony PS4 Pro, and its emphasis on 4K, underlining the mainstream credentials of this display technology.
Samsung has particularly made its name in the mobile niche by delivering devices with outstanding visual capabilities, and it has thus been believed for some time that the corporation would eventually produce a 4K mobile. This possibility could even be catalysed by the dramatic failure of the Galaxy Note 7, meaning that Samsung suddenly needs an outstanding Galaxy S8 release in order to recover from this financial disaster.
Galaxy Note quandary
However, Samsung has previously tended to debut technology in the Galaxy Note range, and if the Galaxy S8 were to receive a 4K resolution display ahead of the Galaxy Note series, it could possibly call into question the future of the latter’s existence. There has been some speculation that Samsung could consider completely scrapping the Galaxy Note series, following the PR disaster which was the Galaxy Note 7. Miurmurings on this topic would only increase if Samsung does indeed include a 4K resolution display in the Galaxy S8.
Increased size
Finally, an intriguing report from the Korea Herald suggests that Samsung could be ready to shake up the size of this smartphone contender. The publication points to two models being released when the Galaxy S8 hits the market, with 5.7-inch and 6.2-inch screens available. The latter would obviously be a huge smartphone display, and this would back up the idea that bezels will indeed be reduced.
This all adds up to an interesting Galaxy S8 in prospect, and Android fans will no doubt be awaiting February eagerly.
