Samsung Galaxy S8 & S8 Plus update: Leaks suggest great surprises in store to beat Apple iPhone 8/X

If latest reports are to be believed, the Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone’s Bixby virtual assistant will come with more language options than the Google Assistant. In total, it will support seven to eight languages. Other reports have claimed that the South Korean tech giant is so confident about the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus handsets that it has doubled the first shipments of the device before the official launch. Various phone case leaks of the handsets have all added to the hype. There’s a lot of debate surrounding the handsets’ processor.

According to Tech Times, Samsung recently teased via Twitter about its next Exynos processor. The tweet has been shared below. As the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus smartphones are expected to come with the Intel Kaby Lake processors, the tweet about the Exynos chip has fuelled intense speculation. Many tech experts are now of the opinion that certain markets such as Asia may use the Exynos chip instead of the Kaby Lake chip. The Wall Street Journal has claimed that the Samsung flagships will sport Sony batteries, indicating a partnership with a third-party supplier.

Samsung wants to be absolutely sure that there isn’t another Galaxy Note 7 blunder and is reportedly incorporating tried and tested Sony batteries. The latest Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus leaks have revealed their pricing and possible colour options. As per SamMobile, a Ukrainian retailer recently listed items revealing interesting details about the flagships. The list shows Black, Orchid Gray and Gold colour options for the handsets. The leak also reveals the Ukrainian Hryvnia retail price.

When translated, the Samsung Galaxy S8 price comes to about US$950 (AU$1,300 approx) whereas the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus price comes to US$1,050 (AU$1,400 approx). Earlier reports had also suggested a similar pricing, about 15-20 percent extra than the Galaxy S7. Meanwhile, Forbes reports that the upcoming Galaxy handset has kicked up an OLED display battle with Apple and iPhone 8. Unfortunately for Apple, Samsung Display is the only supplier that can supply millions of such displays, and Apple is dependent on Samsung Display.

Hence, in order to beat Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, Apple needs to take full advantage of its firmware and software to successfully bring out the OLED Display’s functions and capabilities in iPhone 8/iPhone X. Samsung is likely going to standardise on OLED Displays with its Galaxy S8 flagships. Stay tuned on IBT AU for more updates on the upcoming Galaxy devices.