Last week, we got a look at the first live image of the Galaxy S8 prototype. Though the photo was in line with rumored features of the handset, it came from a unanimous source on Weibo with no proven track record. Now a smartphone accessories maker has released (via BGR) Galaxy S8 renders. Smartphone case manufacturers receive details about unreleased handsets to have the accessories ready to ship ahead of the official launches.
The render corroborates recent rumors
Ghostek, which makes cases for iPhones and Samsung devices, has posted photos of its Atomic 3 waterproof cases covering the Galaxy S8. Sources told BGR that the render is based on actual data provided by factories that make Samsung devices. Though some parts of the S8 render are hidden under the case, you can see much of the device.
The mock-up resembles many of the rumors we have heard so far. The physical home button is gone. The curved Super AMOLED display occupies a larger portion of the front. The Galaxy S8 is rumored to have a 90% screen-to-body ratio. Also, there is no cutout for two camera lenses on the rear, which means Samsung may not incorporate the dual-camera setup in the device.
Galaxy S8 has three ports at the bottom
Since there is no physical home button, the fingerprint scanner was supposed to be embedded in the display or on the rear panel. Ghostek’s render shows no fingerprint scanner on the back panel, which means it would be placed in the display. There are three physical buttons on the side: two volume rockers and a power button. It’s worth pointing out that Samsung has been highly secretive with the Galaxy S8, so the render may not be an accurate reflection of the handset.
Another Galaxy S8 case leaked by SlashLeaks shows three different ports at the bottom of the phone. One is expected to be a speaker cutout, and another is the 3.5mm headphone jack. The third one appears to be a USB Type-C cutout that could let users connect the phone to a monitor and use it as a desktop. The Galaxy S8 is rumored to have a Continuum-like feature that would allow you to connect your phone to a monitor, mouse, and keyboard to turn it into a PC.
Galaxy S8 to hit the store shelves on April 18
The US version of the Galaxy S8 will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor that was unveiled earlier this month. The new chipset is 20% faster, 25% more energy efficient, and 35% smaller than the Snapdragon 820 that powers the Galaxy S7. Other markets are likely to receive an Exynos-powered version of Samsung’s flagship phone.
The Galaxy S8 would go on sale in key markets on April 18th. Samsung is said to begin mass production in March and have at least 5 million units ready to ship ahead of the April 18 release. The phone is rumored to be unveiled in New York in late March or early April. However, a few other reports coming out of Korea claim that Samsung could show off the device at the MWC next month.
