Samsung Galaxy S8 first live image leaked along with key details, launching on March 29th

After Samsung Galaxy Note7 havoc, everyone seems to be waiting for the next-generation Galaxy S smartphone, easily referred to as the Samsung Galaxy S8. Internet is full of rumors and leaks surrounding the Galaxy S8 with no authentic source. Finally, VentureBeat and @evleaks, together, have published the first ever live image of the most-awaited and upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone.

The report not only leaks the image of the smartphone, but also shares key specifications and launch details of the Galaxy S8. According to VB, Samsung will be launching two different variants of the Galaxy S8.

For the past several years, Samsung has launched the Galaxy S smartphones at MWC, but it won't be the same this time. The first* Samsung Unpacked 2017 event will take place on March 29th in New York City, highlights VB. (* Samsung will be launching the Galaxy Note 8 later this year)

Starting with display and size, unlike flat and edged variants of the Galaxy S6 & S7, both the Galaxy S8 variants will come with dual-edged display. The major difference will be in size. The regular model will come with a 5.8-inch display and the Plus variant will host a 6.2-inch display. These models are even larger than the Galaxy Note smartphones.

Samsung will be using Quad-HD Super AMOLED display panel on both the devices. Reports suggest that the devices will have an almost bezel-less, edge-to-edge “infinity” display with 83% screen-to-body ratio. The aspect ratio of display will be unusual too at 18.5:9 which translates to 2960 x 1440 pixel resolution.

With infinity display covering majority of the front of the device, the bezels on the top and bottom of the screen will be minimal. The Guardian reports that the bezels are so minimal that there wasn’t even room to put a logo or brand name on the front of the device. Following the same, @evleaks tweeted that top 1/4" of screen will be hard-coded to display Samsung. (Are you serious Samsung? We hope this turns out false)

Twitter/ @DforDesign

Powering the devices will be Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835 processor and Samsung's in-house Exynos 8895 SoC, depending on the region availability. The new silicon is said to make devices 11% faster than its predecessor with 23% faster graphics processing and 20% more energy efficient. Both these processors are made using 10nm fabrication methods. Accompanying the CPU will be 4GB of RAM. (6GB RAM would have been a steal deal)

When it comes to battery capacity, the 5.8-inch variant will host 3000mAh battery similar to the Galaxy S7 and the 6.2-inch variant will have 3500mAh battery, slightly smaller than the Galaxy S7 edge. Another big upgrade will be 64GB internal storage as the base model supplemented by a 256GB microSD card support.

Unlike Apple, Samsung will host 3.5mm headphone jack on the Galaxy S8 models and also include USB Type-C port. With such minimal bezels, Samsung is getting rid off the home button and will be repositioning the fingerprint scanner to the back of the device, not below the camera, rather to the right side of the same, with the left side hosting LED flash and laser autofocus.

On the imaging front, Samsung won't be upgrading the main camera of the Galaxy S8 to dual-sensor setup, rather will stick with the same 12MP f/1.7 aperture sensor found on the Galaxy S7 with resolution improvements. For selfies and video calling, the Galaxy S8 will come with an 8MP front facing camera with f/1.7 aperture paired with iris-scanner next to it, similar to the one found on ill-fated Galaxy Note 7.

VB reports that the main camera will posses a new visual search functionality "with icons appearing on screen that allow the user to indicate the type of search to be performed" powered by Samsung's own AI based smart virtual assistant allegedly called Bixby. 

Bixby is said to be an AI assistant from Samsung that will handle more complex commands than its competitors, such as multi-part instructions, object recognition, and will host a dedicated button on the side of the devices. Bixby is said to be integrated into all the native apps.

Samsung is also said to incorporate Microsoft Continuum like feature on the Galaxy S8 called Samsung DeX (Desktop Experience). This feature will add ability to connect the handsets to a monitor for a desktop view of Android that can be controlled via keyboard and mouse. The connection will require an optional HDMI-equipped dock, notes The Guardian.

Last but not the least is pressure-sensitive input technology widely known as force touch on Apple devices is finally coming to Samsung's Galaxy S flagship series. According to VB, the lower part of the display will supposedly be capable of distinguishing between different types of screen presses.

Talking of pricing, the upcoming Galaxy S8 models are reported to cost €100 more than the last year's models in Europe. The 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 model is said to retail for €799, whereas the 6.2-inch Galaxy S8 model will retail for €899. The devices are scheduled to go on sale starting April 21st.