Samsung Galaxy S8 Release Date, Features, Specs & Rumors

The Samsung Galaxy S8 release date can’t come soon enough. Especially after the catastrophic failure that was the exploding, recalled Galaxy Note 7. Millions are waiting to see what the company does next. With that in mind, below we’ve roundup everything you need to know about the Galaxy S8, rumors, features and more.

Over the past few months more and more leaks have started to surface about the Galaxy S8. And while most are nothing but rumors, some make a lot of sense. Everything from when it will be released, talk of a 4k display or bezel-free design, dual cameras to take on the iPhone or other things. Like removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, a pressure sensitive screen, or even an optical fingerprint scanner built into the display.

Samsung will have a lot riding on this release, and need to execute it to perfection to gain consumer trust after the Galaxy Note 7 problems. And we have no doubt they will. Lately we’ve been hearing the phone will be wildly impressive, and focus on quality over quantity. It will remain feature-packed, but be their best smartphone ever.

Galaxy S8 rumors have been swirling for months, but as 2016 comes to a close more information is starting to arrive. Details that should be rather accurate. Samsung confirmed to Reuters in November their plans for a virtual AI assistant. The Wall Street Journal went as far as to say Samsung could add a dedicated hardware button for the Viv Labs technology. An artificial intelligence platform from the co-creators of Siri. That’s just the beginning though.

In 2016 Samsung had a very strong year, until the Galaxy Note 7 crashed and burned. The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were arguably the best smartphones on the market. Taking the impressive design of the Galaxy S6 and improving it in key areas. The camera was better, battery life was vastly improved, and we received features like water-resistance and a micro-SD slot.

The addition of a bigger 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 Edge helped, and gave customers another option to choose from. We’re expecting something similar early next year, and their best foot forward to compete throughout 2017. Rumors have already suggested both phones will feature improved curved displays. Although the sizes have yet to be determined. First things first, when is it coming?

Galaxy S8 Release Date

An official Galaxy S8 release date is obviously months away, but based on their track record we have a good idea of what to expect. Each year since the original Galaxy S the release date has been earlier and earlier, with the Galaxy S7 being announced in February and released in March.

For 2017, the Samsung Galaxy S8 will likely be announced at the end of February a day ahead of Mobile World Congress, and released in March. This was exactly how it happened in 2016. There are even leaks from trusted sources saying this already.

Despite #Note7 #disaster,(ATM) i have been confirmed ,no early announcement…#GalaxyS8 SEe you 2+6 😉 Feb at 7PM #samsung #BeCareful ! pic.twitter.com/Rsh196dmBk

— Ricciolo (@Ricciolo1) October 8, 2016

If the Galaxy S7 launch was any indication, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus will be unveiled on February 26th in Spain. Pre-orders will begin, and the release date will be sometime in early March. In fact, our own source suggests the Galaxy S8 release date is Friday, March 10th. We’re sticking to that date until further notice.

The leakster above claims the text, name and date above are all official, but the image for their announcement will be different when the time comes. If true, users only have a short while to wait before getting the next big Samsung smartphone.

We’re hearing these devices will be listed with the model number SM-G950 and SM-G955. With the Galaxy Note 8 being SM-N950 when they arrive in 2017.

Galaxy S8 Features

Rumors surrounding the Galaxy S8 are still few and far between, but more are starting to appear. Before we begin talking about specs, here are some noteworthy features many users should be excited about.

The first solid report as of late comes from The Investor. Their sources claim the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus will come with a 5.7-inch and 6.2-inch display. Yes, that sounds huge. However, Samsung will employ a bezel-free design, with the front being almost entirely glass and screen. Keeping the same physical size as the Galaxy S7, but offering huge curved displays with nearly no bezel. It sounds incredible. Our phones won’t be bigger, but the screen certainly will be. The result will be a truly exceptional experience unmatched by any Samsung device. The screen to body ratio will be over 90%.

Other reports claim the fingerprint scanner will be embedded inside the glass instead of a home button. The first optical fingerprint scanner from the company. This has been confirmed by SamMobile. Although they claim it will remain a 2k display. Rather than jumping to 4k. However, the quality will be better than any Quad-HD screen ever released by Samsung. Moving away from a PenTile screen technology to something vastly better. Again, it’s about quality with the Galaxy S8.

We’ve also been hearing talk of an Iris Eye scanner, a pressure sensitive display, improved virtual reality, dual cameras and multiple mentions of the bezel-free design. Having a bigger display with the same 2k resolution, but more pixels, will offer a great virtual reality experience. For an idea of what a bezel-free phone with rounded edges could look like, below is a real concept phone by SHARP. This is what Samsung could have in mind.

While the image above doesn’t seem realistic, that’s one of a few products that actually exists. Like the recent Xiaomi Mi Mix. Another report from The Investor quotes Samsung Display researchers talking about a bezel-free phone in 2017. Stating current Galaxy S7 devices have 80% screen and 20% bezel and body. The Galaxy S8 next year could be 91-95% all display. A true bezel-free design with curves not only on the sides, but the top and bottom too.

It’s worth nothing that Samsung has shown off a 5.5-inch 4k AMOLED display with a whopping 806 pixels per inch, which looks incredible. Although we’re hearing they will stick to a 2k display this time around.

 That said, another report claims these will be called the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. Both with edges, so the “Edge” branding will no longer be present.

Another report surfaced in June showing off one more potential feature. It’s called “Samsung Smart Glow” and is an LED ring that will surround the camera and add a slew of new features. SamMobile shared a bunch of information before the Note 7, and this could finally be released with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. If they take the dual camera route, this won’t be integrated.

Imagine yellow for a sunny day weather forecast, red for battery life, different colors for incoming calls or texts from pre-set contacts and even tie into S-Health for fitness. The possibilities are endless.

Additionally, users should be excited about Samsung’s new virtual assistant. Similar to Siri or Google Assistant. Samsung recently acquired Viv Labs from the developers behind Siri. They promise to deliver a robust, open source, highly intelligent and next-level person assistant that should debut in 2017. Smarter than ever before. In November Samsung confirmed this will debut on the Galaxy S8. The new virtual assistant will take on Siri and come in both a male or female voice. Codenamed Bixby and Kestra as of right now.

Along with that will be improved battery life, better cameras and maybe even dual cameras on back. Samsung will also integrate auto-focus into the front camera. Not to mention IP68 dust and water resistance, expandable storage and other things. A recent report claims the Galaxy S8 will have 6GB of RAM and a 256GB storage option. Samsung won’t stray too far from the winning combination that was the Galaxy S7. Until more information is available, nothing is really known.

Last but not least SamMobile claims a 2k display is confirmed, one that will have the fingerprint scanner built in. They also believe Samsung will follow Motorola, Apple and others by ditching the 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead integrating stereo speakers from Harmon Kardon or JBL, which is a company they recently acquired. If so, we’ll use USB Type-C headphones, or wireless bluetooth headphones instead. Or an adapter.

Galaxy S8 Specs

Again, nothing is remotely official. That being said, expectations need to be tempered for what will complete the Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge (or Plus). Yes they will be high-end flagship smartphones, but some rumors will likely be very unrealistic. Here’s a better idea of what we believe will be coming.

Galaxy S8 Specs (Rumored)

• 5.1 and 5.5-inch 2160 x 3840 Curved 4K AMOLED Display (or 5.7 & 6.2-inch and 2k displays)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 or Samsung Exynos Processor
• 6GB of RAM
• 64GB of internal storage and a micro-SD slot for expansion
• Android 7.1 Nougat with Samsung TouchWiz
• 12-16 Megapixel Rear Camera with OIS, phase detection auto-focus, f/1.7 aperture & more (dual camera has been rumored)
• 5-8 megapixel front camera with auto focus
• Fingerprint and Iris Scanners
• IP68 dust & water resistance
• 3,100 and 3,600 mAh battery with Fast & Faster Wireless Charging
• Improved Always-On Display
• Dual Stereo Speaker configuration
• Samsung Pay
• Bezel free design with 91% screen to body ratio
• More

Samsung will likely introduce a few key new features and additional improvements, all while blending the best of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy Note 7 into an improved and refined design. Samsung bought Harmon, so better audio is very likely. Removing the 3.5mm headphone jack may also give them more room for a bigger battery. The Galaxy S8 should be similar yet different. Poised to be the best phone of the year while taking on the iPhone 8.

Final Thoughts

In closing, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Edge (or Plus) will be great smartphones. The Galaxy Note 7 was well-received before the recall, and there’s no reason to believe the company won’t continue making excellent smartphones for millions and millions of customers.

When the new and improved (and safe) Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus arrive in early 2017 I’ll be first in line to buy one. Samsung still makes some of the best smartphones on the planet, and the Galaxy S8 lineup will be no different. In fact, they could be the best smartphones ever released. Especially if many of the rumors above turn out accurate. We’re excited about the bigger screens in the same size body.

The company recently confirmed that those in South Korea who bought the Galaxy Note 7 will be able to get the new Galaxy S8 for 50% off, and a similar strategy could happen stateside. In even better news, there will also be a Galaxy Note 8 next year. Samsung isn’t giving up, and expect them to bounce back stronger than ever before. If it follows the Galaxy S8, the Note could have a 6.8-inch bezel free display.

Are you looking forward to the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 8, and will you still buy a Samsung smartphone? Let us know in the comment section below.