Samsung Galaxy S8, S7 Note features sighted as Samsung Pay continues to grow

A couple of new sightings for Samsung’s upcoming handsets have hinted at potential features for the devices. Starting with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, it seems that the South Korean company may be looking to stick with its curved edge display counterparts.

According to GSM Arena, Galaxy Note users may not be treated to different iterations this year. instead of the flat-screen and the curved edge display, the flat screen may no longer be in the cards. The report comes from a local newspaper in South Korea. This seems like a natural movement, considering how the Galaxy S6 edge device outsold Samsung’s prospects for the phone.

Another Galaxy device, the Samsung Galaxy S8, has also been rumoured to contain a couple of features worth noting. Among these is the reported 4K Ultra high-def screen. CNet spotted the detail from a Chinese tech blog, which noted that the resolution clocks in at 3,840x2,160 pixels.

While this is already too high for a practical smartphone use, it will corroborate the company’s plans to make use of the Samsung Galaxy S8 as a tool for virtual reality. However, with no news on battery, this should be taken as a rumour, since heavy resolution can take a big toll on the battery.

There is another report that it may get a dual rear camera. The source stated that this inclusion may serve as way for the Samsung Galaxy S8 to compete on the same level.

While these new rumours should be taken with a grain of salt, Samsung looks like it’s steadily pushing forward its Samsung Pay in more markets. Set to go against the Apple Pay, Samsung Pay is looking at the service in a more flexible manner than what Apple has for its mobile wallet service.

According to Reuters, Samsung is looking to make use of the Samsung Pay service as a means of driving sales of phones and devices, rather than as another source of direct revenue via fees with financial partners.

“We’re a hardware company and at the end of the day, I think what we’re trying to do is get people who hold (one of) our phones and use it… to just love it more,” said Global Vice President of Samsung Pay Elle Kim to Reuters.

Samsung Pay has just launched in Australia via partnership with American Express and Citibank. Apply Pay also has presence in both Australia and New Zealand banks and Amex.

The advantage of Samsung Pay over Apple Pay is that it is compatible with NFC and Magnetic Secure Transmission, which is essentially the same mechanic as traditional card payments. This gives it an edge in the U.S. market.

The growth of Samsung Pay to date encompasses Spain, Singapore and Australia in three weeks’ time. Expansion is expected for other markets, including the U.K., Canada and Brazil sometime this year.