Samsung Galaxy S8: The Top Rumors

Samsung Moves On

Following the fiasco around the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung Electronics is eager to get the comeback under way with the launch of some innovative new devices. Based on the rumors for the Galaxy S8, all indications are that Samsung could have a strong smartphone offering on the way. A flood of details for the Galaxy S8 have already come out, via reports from The Guardian and VentureBeat. And the reports show plenty of differences with the S8 versus both the Galaxy S7 and Apple's iPhone 7.

In the following slides, we've rounded up the top Samsung Galaxy S8 rumors around specs, price and release date.

Display

Like the Galaxy S7, Samsung's Galaxy S8 will come in two display sizes -- which VentureBeat reports as 5.8 inches and 6.2 inches. That would make both of the phones a good deal larger than the two S7 versions, which measured 5.1 inches and 5.5 inches.

The S8 display type will be Super AMOLED (as on the S7) and will have a nearly nonexistent bezel, with the screen covering roughly 83 percent of the front of each phone, according to The Guardian and VentureBeat reports. The S8 display will also be curved down the right and left sides of the device, a la the Galaxy S7 Edge, the reports say.

Processor

Many of Samsung's expected advances with the Galaxy S8 will hinge on the processor. For some regions, that processor will be Qualcomm's brand-new Snapdragon 835. The Galaxy S8, in fact, could be the first device to get the much-anticipated 10-nanometer chip.

Along with faster data loading (it has a clock speed of 2.45GHz), the Snapdragon 835 will be easier on the battery life -- Qualcomm promises a 25 percent reduction in power needs for the processor. The 835 is also expected to be better for graphics while being highly space-efficient in the phone (35 percent smaller than the Snapdragon 821).

Reports suggest that not all regions will get the Snapdragon 835 versions of the Galaxy S8, though -- with some regions slated to get models with a Samsung Exynos processor.

Camera

Samsung's Galaxy S8 is expected to include a 12-megapixel rear camera (equivalent to that of the Galaxy S7) with a f/1.7 aperture. The reported 8-megapixel front-facing camera, meanwhile, will have the same aperture and will represent a boost over the 5-megapixel front camera on the S7.

Better low-light performance and speed -- as well as object recognition -- are also expected, according to The Guardian.

Battery

The battery size in the smaller version of the Galaxy S8 will reportedly be on par with the smaller S7 -- 3,000mAh. However, reports suggest the larger version of the S8 will get a 3,500mAh battery, which is actually below the S7 Edge, which has a 3,600mAh. If true, that might mean Samsung is relying on the Snapdragon 835 to really do wonders for the battery life on the Galaxy S8.

Storage And Memory

The Galaxy S8 is expected to come with 64 GB of storage (double the base-level amount of the S7) along with a slot for a microSD card, which could add up to 256 GB of storage. RAM in the Galaxy S8 is expected to hold steady compared with past versions at 4 GB.

Connectors

Reports suggest Samsung won't be following Apple's lead on the matter of audio connectors; the Galaxy S8 is expected to retain the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is absent in the iPhone 7. The S8 will also include USB-C connectivity, reports say.

In addition, the Galaxy S8 may be able to connect over a dock to an external display, which could then be used as an Android desktop -- similar to the way that some Windows phones are able to become desktops using Microsoft Continuum.

Additional Features

One feature that Samsung may port over from the now-deceased Galaxy Note 7 to the Galaxy S8 is the ability to do authentication through iris scanning, reports suggest. The S8 may also get a sophisticated new virtual assistant -- possibly named Bixby -- that leverages technology from the acquisition of Viv Labs. Greater "force touch" pressure sensitivity, such as is found in the last few iPhone models, is also expected to be coming to the Galaxy S8.

Price And Release Date

The expected U.S. price for the Galaxy S8 hasn't been reported, but VentureBeat reported that Samsung will likely charge €799 (which equals $854 at this writing) for the smaller model, and €899 ($961) for the larger version. That doesn't necessarily mean these will actually be the Galaxy S8 prices in the U.S., however; the prices of the S7 ($669.99) and S7 Edge ($769.99) may be more useful in terms of guidance for what the Galaxy S8 will actually cost in the U.S.

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S8 at Samsung Unpacked on March 29 -- rather than at Mobile World Congress in late February, as usual -- and the Galaxy S8 release date will be April 21, according to VentureBeat.