Galaxy S8 UK release date, price, spec rumours | Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus rumours: Galaxy S8 delayed until April 2017

The Galaxy S8 is going to smash up the mobile scene with more performance than we've ever seen in a phone. We reveal the latest rumours about the Samsung Galaxy S8 release date and Samsung S8 price UK. PLUS: Samsung S8 specs, code names, code numbers and rumours.

When is the Galaxy S8 coming out?
Galaxy S8 edge or Galaxy S8 Plus?
UK price rumours
Galaxy S8 specs and new feature rumours
Galaxy S8 design
Galaxy S8 screen
Galaxy S8 cameras
Galaxy S8 processor
Galaxy S8 RAM
Galaxy S8 USB-C
Galaxy S8 battery

The Galaxy S7 is the best phone you can buy (check our best smartphone chart) so we're even more excited to see what Samsung has up its sleeve with the Galaxy S8 and potentially (but probably not) Galaxy S8 edge. Here we take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S8 release date, UK price, specs and new features via rumours and our expert analysis. See: Best new phones coming in 2017, HTC 11 rumours and LG G6 rumours

Latest rumour: All the tech sites are reporting that Samsung is working on its own AI assistant currently known as 'Bixby' for the Galaxy S8, and according to WSJ the new phone may even feature a physical button on the side of the handset to call up the assistant. This isn't a massive surprise following the company's acquisition of Siri maker Viv Labs, though what has caught our eye is WSJ's claims that Samsung will not release the Galaxy S8 until April 2017, two months later than expected. This is because the company wants to make sure it doesn't suffer the same fate as the Note 7, so more thorough testing will be required.

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Samsung Galaxy S8 release date UK: When is the Galaxy S8 coming out?

Samsung Galaxy S8 UK release date: 26 February 2017 (TBC)

It's fairly easy to predict when the new flagship phone will arrive. First, take a look at when all the previous Galaxy S phones were launched.

•   Galaxy S – March 2010
•   Galaxy S2 – February 2011
•   Galaxy S3 – May 2012
•   Galaxy S4 – March 2013
•   Galaxy S5 – February 2014
•   Galaxy S6 – March 2015
•   Galaxy S7 – February 2016

As you can see, Samsung favours the months of February and March to launch the new flagship Galaxy S phone for that year. They are typically released on sale in the shops to buy around 2-4 weeks afterwards.

Samsung has this launch rhythm because of MWC (Mobile World Congress), which is the phone- and tablet-focused tech show on the calendar. Samsung's Unpacked press conference is where the new devices are announced each year.

So, unless Samsung decides to change its tradition, we can predict with some certainty that the Galaxy S8 will be announced at MWC 2017 which runs from 27 February to 2 March. Our money is on 26 February which is the day before the show starts. Also see: Best Samsung phones 2016: What is the difference between Galaxy Note, Galaxy S, Galaxy A and Galaxy J?

However, Samsung's reputation has suffered quite a hit thanks to its problems with the now-discontinued Note 7, so spectators are suggesting it will not only push back the launch date (as far as April 2017?) in order to conduct more thorough testing, but it will really push out the boat with the Galaxy S8 to win back fans.

As well as some incredibly powerful hardware that will make it capable of mobile VR and a dual camera, the Galaxy S8 is also rumoured to lose the Home button, with the fingerprint scanner built into a screen that is not only curved on the left- and right edges but also top and bottom. Following the acquisition of Siri maker Viv Labs Samsung is also thought to be developing its own AI assistant currently known as Bixby.

On 12 October, @Ricciolo1 tweeted: "Despite #Note7 #disaster,(ATM) i have been confirmed ,no early announcement...#GalaxyS8 SEe you 2+6 ;) Feb at 7PM #samsung #BeCareful!"

The tweet was accompanied by what appears to be an invitation to a Galaxy S8 launch at MWC on 26 February 2017, but is in fact just an illustration (we guess to grab people's attention).

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"Graphic is "preview",TEXT is FINAL... you've to read it,not to look it... ;)", tweeted @Ricciolo1.

Samsung Galaxy S8 launch invitation - fake

Samsung Galaxy S8 models: Galaxy S8 edge or Galaxy S8 Plus?

Rather than questioning whether or not there will be an S8 edge, perhaps what we should really be asking is whether there will be a standard Galaxy S8. Ever since Samsung unveiled just the one version of the Note 7 with a dual-edge screen we've had an inkling that this is its plan for all its flagships: a dual-edge screen as standard. However, this is not the only difference between the standard and edge models, since the edge is also larger. Could we be about to see a Samsung Galaxy S8 and a Galaxy S8 Plus? We think so.

Our theory was backed up by a report in the Korean Herald, which says Samsung has hinted at removing the standard flat-screen version and replacing it with the edge model. Now that decision appears to have been finalised, and a new report from the Korean Herald says the company is sourcing 5.1- and 5.5in dual-edge screens. Also see: Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

“Samsung has considered that it would make the edge display as the identity of the Galaxy S smartphone lineup if the company can provide consumers differentiated user experience through software and user-friendly functions (for the curved screen),” said Koh Dong-jin, the head of the tech giant’s mobile business.

Previously, Korean media had reported that Samsung is planning a whopping five flagship phones for 2017 including a foldable Galaxy X. This group is likely to include at least one Galaxy Note phone so it seems that two or three will be Galaxy S8 phones. Will we see the return of the Galaxy S8 mini?

Samsung Galaxy S8 code names and code numbers: Dream (SM-G950), Dream2 (SM-G955)

Sammobile has reported that there will be two codenames for the Galaxy S8: Dream and Dream2, with the code numbers SM-G950 and SMG955. We were expecting the code numbers to be SM-G940 and SM-G945 following the S7 and S7 edge, which were SM-G930 and SM-G935, but Sammobile says that it hasn't is down to Tetrophobia.

"Tetraphobia - the practice of associating the number 4 with bad luck - is a thing in South Korea. The number 4 is usually skipped in the country’s hospitals and public buildings while in some buildings the 4th floor is denoted by the alphabet F instead of the number 4. Samsung has done this in the past as well when it assigned model number GT-I9300 to the Galaxy S3 but GT-I9500 to the Galaxy S4," it reports.

Samsung Galaxy S8: UK price rumours

It's no surprise that there are no rumours surrounding the price of the Galaxy S8 yet, but that doesn't mean we can't speculate.

When the Galaxy S6 launched it cost a whopping £599 and even though the Galaxy S7 is an improvement and a worthy upgrade, it came out at a cheaper price of £569. Now, Samsung could drop the price again for the Galaxy S8 but we think this unlikely considering some of the rumours specs (see below). In fact, we'd be a bit surprised if the price didn't go back up.

Our estimation is that the Galaxy S8 price will fall between £550 and £600 for the entry-level model.

Galaxy S8 specs and new feature rumours

With the Galaxy S7 Samsung brought many of the best bits from the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 to create a pretty awesome smartphone. It combined top-end specs with features such as expandable storage and waterproofing. We've been thoroughly impressed over the last few years so it's exciting to see what Samsung will do with the Galaxy S8.

Galaxy S8 design

The design combination of metal and glass seems to be a winner so we don't think Samsung is going to change much there. The big question is whether a removable battery will be a feature of the Galaxy S8 - it seems unlikely unless the firm does something dramatic with the design as LG did with the G5. We're not holding out as wireless and faster charging seem to be the favoured features here.

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Samsung's vice president of mobile said the phone will feature a "slick design", via the WSJ.

Galaxy S8 screen

Samsung has been using a 5.1in screen size for the regular Galaxy S models since the Galaxy S5 so it seems that the firm has found its sweet spot. The Galaxy S7 Edge is larger at 5.5in so we expect the Galaxy S8 edge or Galaxy S8 Plus to follow suit.

What's more interesting about the screen is the resolution. Although we said a 4K display is over the top on the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, there's one reason why it might be a good move for Samsung to include it on the Galaxy S8. That reason is VR.

While the Quad HD display on the S7 is fantastic to look at, when you insert the phone into the Gear VR the experience is fairly pixelated because the resolution is being halved – Full HD for each eye. Since VR is the big emerging tech this year, we wouldn't be surprised if the Galaxy S8 went this way because you'd get Quad HD resolution for each eye resulting in a significant improvement.

What makes this all the more likely is that Samsung Display has already shown off a 5.5in screen with an Ultra HD resolution (that's a pixel density of 806ppi) specifically for virtual reality devices. Now, this could be put into a headset rather than a phone but it's still evidence to suggest the Galaxy S8 will be 4K.

This could be a feature exclusively on the Galaxy S8 edge or S8 Plus rather than the smaller regular model, giving consumers a reason to opt for the more premium model.

Adding weight to our theory, a Weibo tipster has suggested the Galaxy S8 Plus will have a 4K screen while the standard S8 will have a Quad-HD screen. This is backed up by another Weibo leak, according to SamMobile, which says the S8 will have a 5.5in screen with a 4K resolution and a whopping 6GB of RAM.

We're expecting both versions of the Galaxy S8 to come with dual-edge screens (hence why we refer to the S8 Edge as the S8 Plus), but the latest rumours suggest the Galaxy S8 is also rumoured to lose the Home button, with the fingerprint scanner built into a screen that is not only curved on the left- and right edges but also top and bottom.

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One of the most interesting rumours about the S8 is that it may be a truly full-screen design. According to GSMArena, Samsung is working on placing an optical fingerprint scanner under the display meaning the phone won't need the lower bezel to house the home button which is a fingerprint scanner. This is similar to what Apple is working on with the iPhone 8 and to give you an idea of what a phone looks like with almost no bezels take a look at the Xiaomi Mi Mix.

Galaxy S8 cameras

Following the LG G5 and Huawei P9, dual-cameras are becoming more of a standard feature of flagship smartphones.

The iPhone 7 Plus is rumoured to offer a dual-camera setup and the Galaxy S8 is no different. A report on wccf tech which cites a Chinese source says that the Galaxy S8 will feature dual-camera lens modules likely to be manufactured by Samsung Motors (Semco). However, a Weibo tipster says only the S8 Plus will get a dual-camera, while the standard S8 will stick with a single camera at the rear.

Since then, Sammobile has reported on a patent application filed in September that shows a camera interface with improved zoom control.

As you might expect from a new generation, the Galaxy S8 will have a better camera than the S7. Via WSJ, Samsung's vice president of mobile said it will have an "improved camera".

Galaxy S8 processor

Few rumours have leaked about the Galaxy S8's processor, though it is tipped to come with the ARM Mali-G71 GPU, which is one of the most powerful graphics chips on the market. Paired with the aforementioned 4K screen rumours and it's becoming apparent that Samsung has VR firmly in mind.

We already know that the Galaxy S7 uses either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or an Exynos 8890 and we expect the Galaxy S8 to offer one of two processors - which one you get depends on the market you live in.

While 2017 processors haven't been announced yet it seems possible that they will be manufactured with a 10nm process. Leaked information shows that ARM is working on 10nm reference designs and both Qualcomm and Samsung use ARM.

With the current generation of chips at 14nm, the Galaxy S8 with a 10nm processor will be more powerful and energy efficient. Chances are the Galaxy S8 will come powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 or the next generation Exynos processor.

A report on ETNews suggests Qualcomm is roping in Samsung to help build its Snapdragon 830 chip on a 10nm process in time for the S8 launch, though it's unlikely we'll get the Snapdragon variant in the UK.

Modems are particularly exciting but the Galaxy S8 could come with Qualcomm's X16 via the Snapdragon 830. It's significantly quicker than the S7's X12 modem and can support up to 1Gbps download speeds – that's Cat 16 LTE. When we have the networks to support it, you'll be able to theoretically stream a VR event live or download films in a matter of seconds.

Galaxy S8 RAM

For the first time up to 8GB of RAM will be available to mobile devices. Samsung has said it is introducing a new generation of DRAM that can support this amount in order that devices are better equipped to deal with mobile VR, dual-cameras and 4K video. What better device to kick off with than the Galaxy S8?

Galaxy S8 USB-C

So far Samsung has opted against the newer version of USB on its phones with the Galaxy S7 still employing Micro-USB 2.0. It seems about time for Type-C to make an appearance on the Galaxy S8, though.

Like Apple's Lightning port, USB Type- C is reversible so you can plug the cable in either way round. It also offers faster charging as it's able to supply more power. The only reason we can think of for Samsung to stick with Micro-USB is to ensure the S8 is compatible with the Gear VR but we feel like a new version of the VR headset is likely to arrive before or with the new flagship phone.

Following the (bad) news that Apple had replaced the headphone jack with Lightning audio on the iPhone 7 comes a rumour that Samsung will look to do the same with USB-C. "Samsung is now ‘actively and aggressively’ exploring the possibility of releasing a proprietary headphone jack of its own, one that would be largely incompatible with newer iPhone devices," reports Digital Music News, citing Korean sources.

Galaxy S8 battery

Following its woes with the Note 7, The Korean Herald alleges that Samsung is considering tapping up LG Chem to supply batteries for the upcoming Galaxy S8.

Galaxy S8 software - Bixby AI assistant

The Galaxy S8 will come running Android Nougat with the TouchWiz UI overlaid and will come with Samsung's usual customisations. According to a Weibo source, the S8 will also feature Viv AI as a rival to Google Assistant, since Samsung recently bought the technology.

Samsung has since confirmed to Reuters that it will integrate Viv's AI assistant in "Galaxy smartphones and expand voice-assistant services to home appliances and wearable technology devices," starting with the Galaxy S8.

"Developers can attach and upload services to our agent. Even if Samsung doesn't do anything on its own, the more services that get attached the smarter this agent will get, learn more new services and provide them to end-users with ease," said executive VP Rhee Injong.

The Samsung AI Assistant is currently thought to be called Bixby, though this may well change. According to Sammobile it has filed for a trademark in South Korea that "seeks protection of the word 'Bixby', the application details that this brand will be used for 'computer software for personal information management', 'computer application software for smartphones, mobile telephones, portable computers and tablet computers. Namely, software used to operate voice recognition system' and 'computer software for enabling hands-free use of a mobile phone through voice recognition'."

We've also heard some rumours that the Galaxy S8 might dual-boot Android and Windows. That’s what a patent from last year suggests Samsung might be cooking up (via SamMobile).

The patent shows a Galaxy style device running both Android and Windows operating systems at the same time. Using a Multi-Window type feature, users can drag files between the two and minimize one as a floating icon. It’s also possible to assign processor cores and memory to each OS.

It’s an interesting concept and not the first time we’ve seen Samsung doing dual-boot (the Ativ Q, for example, which never came to market). Whether or not this is used for the Galaxy S8 remains to be seen but is, we feel, unlikely and would be more suitable for a separate stand-alone product.

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