Apple are expected to ditch the home button with next year’s iPhone 8 and now according to a recent report, the new Samsung Galaxy S8 will also ditch the home button.
The news comes in a report from Bloomberg who have revealed that Samsung will get rid of the physical home button on their S8. Instead, there will be a virtual home button under the handset’s display. This move aligns with the industry’s trend towards maximizing screen real estate and providing a more immersive user experience.
Design and Display
The display on the new Galaxy S8 will be almost bezel-free, which means that the screen will extend closer to the edges of the device, providing a larger viewing area without increasing the overall size of the phone. We are expecting two screen sizes for the handset: one with a 5.7-inch display and the other with a 6.2-inch display. This design choice not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the device but also improves functionality by offering more screen space for apps, videos, and other content.
The removal of the physical home button is a significant design shift for Samsung, which has traditionally included a home button on its flagship devices. The virtual home button will likely be integrated into the display itself, possibly using pressure-sensitive technology to mimic the feel of a physical button. This change could also pave the way for other innovative features, such as an in-display fingerprint sensor, which would allow users to unlock their phones by placing their finger directly on the screen.
Launch and Market Expectations
Samsung are expected to announce their two new Galaxy S8 smartphones at Mobile World Congress, which takes place in February 2017. The handsets will apparently go on sale sometime in March. This timing is crucial for Samsung as it aims to capture the attention of consumers and tech enthusiasts early in the year, ahead of other major smartphone releases.
The company will be hoping that the new Galaxy S8 smartphone will regain their customers’ confidence after the issues they had with the Galaxy Note 7. The Note 7’s battery problems led to a global recall and damaged Samsung’s reputation. As a result, the success of the Galaxy S8 is vital for the company to restore its standing in the competitive smartphone market.
In addition to the design changes, the Galaxy S8 is expected to come with a host of new features and improvements. Rumors suggest that the device will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, offering faster performance and better energy efficiency. The camera system is also expected to see significant upgrades, with improved low-light performance and advanced image processing capabilities.
Moreover, Samsung may introduce new software features and enhancements with the Galaxy S8. The company’s custom Android skin, known as Samsung Experience, could see updates that improve usability and add new functionalities. For example, Samsung’s virtual assistant, Bixby, might receive enhancements to better compete with other AI assistants like Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant.
In summary, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is shaping up to be a significant release for the company. With its bezel-free design, virtual home button, and potential new features, the S8 aims to set a new standard in the smartphone industry. Samsung’s ability to innovate and address past issues will be critical in determining the success of the Galaxy S8 and its reception in the market.
Source Bloomberg
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