Samsung Galaxy S8, which is expected to launch in February 2017, will ditch the home button. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Samsung’s latest prototypes include a button on the side edge of Galaxy S8 that would be used to power up virtual assistant. The prototypes aren’t final and could change, the sources added.
The South Korean company, which is dealing with monstrous damage from the Galaxy S7 recall, is in dire need of a launching a device which could give a boost to its profit and reputation. It will need to perform well in front of the investors and consumers to maintain its position as a market leader.
Not so long ago, Samsung acquired Viv Lab, a startup founded by the original creators of Apple’s Siri. It is assumed that the Samsung virtual assistant will be based on Viv Lab’s technology. Samsung is yet to reveal more details about what features its new assistant will offer. However, it did say that the assistant will be “significantly differentiated” from rivals, and will work with all kinds of third-party services.
Improved Galaxy S8 Features
Rumors indicate Samsung might kill the Galaxy S8 Home button. According to insider sources, the company last week suggested that the smartphone will have a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. A new report By Android Headlines surfaced last month, which suggests Samsung’s vendors hadn’t yet received orders for parts that make up the Galaxy home button. Possibly, Samsung Galaxy S8 home button will feature in its usual place, i.e. right below the display.
The Samsung home button design change is quite significant, considering it hasn’t changed the home button’s positioning since the first Galaxy S series device over seven years ago. According to various sources, a fingerprint scanner will take the place of the home button, or on the back of the phone.
Galaxy S8 will also feature a 2560×1440 QHD display instead of a UHD 4K display. Samsung is also planning to outsource the power source from a third-party supplier.
So far, it looks like Samsung is taking all chances to step away from their usual design mojo. Let’s hope the Samsung Galaxy S8 is able to woo back consumers who have lost faith in the Galaxy series. A Samsung bezel-less smartphone seems like a good start. Samsung will leave no stone unturned following the Note 7 battery outrage, which was reportedly caused by its struggle to beat the Apple iPhone 7.