Galaxy S8: 15 Things We Want To See In The Next Samsung Phone
The Samsung Galaxy S7 was released on March 11, 2016 and instantly made a bold, memorable impression on smartphone consumers around the world.
Today, the Galaxy S7 ranks as one of the top smartphones – period. It features an unbeatable combination of style and function, making it a great choice for consumers of all ages.
If you need to snap a high-resolution selfie, the Galaxy S7 makes it simple to do just that. Or, if you need a smartphone that allows you to stay connected to business colleagues on the other side of the globe, the Galaxy S7 enables you to phone or video chat with them without delay.
The Galaxy S7 does a great job of being innovative yet uncomplicated. As such, millions of Galaxy S7 devices have sold thus far, and millions more are sure to sell in the foreseeable future.
Of course, like the Apple iPhone, the Galaxy is a work in progress. And even though many smartphone users are satisfied with the Galaxy S7, Samsung is actively searching for ways to take the Galaxy to the next level.
What are some of the must-haves for the Galaxy S8? Here’s a closer look at 15 things we’d like to see in Samsung’s next Galaxy release.
15. Use the Android Nougat operating system.
If there was anything that was a surefire guarantee in the Galaxy S8, it’s Android Nougat. The ubiquitous Google operating system became available last year and proved to be a smash hit with Android users, so it’s easy to understand the appeal of incorporating it into the Galaxy S8.
With Nougat in tow, the Galaxy S8 could deliver a superb Android experience. From the ability to use two apps at the same time to the simple process of dragging and dropping text and images in multi-window mode, Nougat offers a number of features that first and long-time Galaxy users are sure to appreciate.
14. Provide us with a state-of-the-art personal assistant.
Galaxy phones have a personal assistant – S Voice. It operates in the same way as Apple’s Siri, ensuring you can get instant answers to your concerns and questions at any time.
But is it asking too much for a personal assistant that goes above and beyond the call of duty? If Samsung adds Google Assistant to the Galaxy S8, we’ll all be able to reap the benefits of a personal assistant unlike any other on the planet.
It’s probably a pipe dream to expect Google Assistant in the Galaxy S8. Google Pixel was the first smartphone with Google Assistant built-in, and it seems unlikely that Samsung – a direct competitor of Google – would include Google Assistant. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’re holding out hope that Google Assistant is featured in the Galaxy S8.
13. Add a USB-C port.
USB-C is still relatively new, but it is quickly changing the way that power and data are transmitted to devices.
Many PC manufacturers have accepted USB-C as an industry-standard connector, and perhaps it is easy to understand why. USB-C looks like a micro USB connector but has no up or down orientation. It also has the same connector at both ends, so you never have to worry about figuring out which end to connect to your smartphone.
USB Implementers Forum, the creator of USB-C, counts Samsung as one of more than 700 member companies. This means it may be only a matter of time before Samsung implements USB-C its devices, perhaps as soon as the Galaxy S8.
12. Go with an edge-to-edge display.
A smartphone with a stunning yet practical edge-to-edge display is a lot like a golden unicorn: as much as we want to see it in real life, there’s been no sighting of it to date. However, Samsung looks ready to bring an edge-to-edge display to its next Galaxy device.
How the Galaxy will look with an edge-to-edge display should be interesting. The Galaxy is already a user-friendly smartphone, and with an edge-to-edge display, the next-generation smartphone might not have any space left for a home button. Instead, Samsung may just embed the home button under the display or ditch the home button altogether.
11. Make the smartphone shatterproof.
The Galaxy S7 features a “shatter-resistant” screen, but we want a device that’s shatterproof.
Let’s face it – we can all be clumsy at times, especially with our smartphones. Since we’re already paying $670 for a Galaxy S7 (or $780 for a Galaxy S7 Edge), we’d like a device that won’t break under pressure.
A shatterproof design for the Galaxy S8 is a must, particularly for those of us who have already dropped a smartphone and suffered the hefty costs – and embarrassment – associated with having to replace it. If Samsung sets its sights high, we’re confident that the company can find a way to go from shatter-resistant to shatterproof with the Galaxy S8.
10. Get rid of the headphone jack.
Like it or not, the headphone jack we know and love is becoming obsolete. It probably will be replaced with USB-C ports on many future smartphones, and rightfully so.
USB-C ports deliver high-quality sound, enabling you to listen to music, chat on the phone and watch movies without having to worry about buzzing or static. Therefore, for those who want outstanding sound quality from their smartphone, replacing the headphone jack with a USB-C port is essential.
Samsung is on the edge of something great with the Galaxy S8. If the company ditches the headphone jack on the Galaxy S8, it could further differentiate the Galaxy S8 from the iPhone and other chief smartphone rivals.
9. Incorporate AR/VR compatibility.
Pokémon Go was just the beginning of the push for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
Mobile gamers want interactive titles that connect them to the outside world in new and exciting ways. Meanwhile, adding AR and VR capabilities to the Galaxy S8 may help mobile gamers get the most out of their smartphones for years to come.
The Samsung Gear VR complemented the Galaxy S7 in many ways and showed the potential of AR and VR titles on smartphones. As mobile technology evolves, mobile gamers are expecting awe-inspiring experiences on their smartphones. Samsung is well aware of the push for AR and VR, and as a result, is likely to prioritize the addition of advanced AR and VR capabilities with the Galaxy S8.
8. Make the device waterproof.
As it stands right now, there is no such thing as a fully waterproof smartphone. OtterBox cases often enable you to protect your smartphone against water, but these cases usually cost around $50. Or, if you’re lucky, you can manage to keep your phone away from water or any other potential hazards at all times – something that’s easier said than done.
The Galaxy S7 is the closest thing to a fully waterproof smartphone and boasts a certified-water resistant rating for protection against spills, splashes and dunks. That’s all well and good, but we want a phone without any limitations whatsoever. And with a waterproof – not water-resistant – Galaxy S8, we’ll be able to use our phones in the water, at any time.
7. Double the cameras (and double the fun).
A dual camera setup is exceedingly popular – just check out the iPhone 7 Plus or Huawei P9 smartphones.
Typically, dual cameras provide superior color rendering and exceptional resolution. These cameras even perform well in low-light situations, enabling you to snap high-quality images and videos during the day or at night.
The Galaxy S7 boasts a 12-megapixel camera that only needs one lens. With dual cameras in place, the photo and video quality of the Galaxy S8 could be off the charts.
Please Samsung, heed our requests and incorporate dual cameras into the Galaxy S8. We’ve already seen what you can do with one camera on a Galaxy device, and we know you’ll wow us with a dual camera setup as part of the Galaxy S8.
6. Update the processor.
No doubt, the Snapdragon 821 processor is all the rage right now. But as always, Samsung is on the lookout for ways to enhance its Galaxy processor, and a new solution may be in the company’s crosshairs.
The next step in the Galaxy processor evolution appears to be the Snapdragon 835 processor.
Not many details are available about the Snapdragon 835 processor at this point, but we know that the processor is made with a 10nm process. Plus, it’s probably safe to assume the Snapdragon 835 processor is more powerful than its predecessor, which could lead to improved battery life and better overall performance and efficiency with the Galaxy S8.
5. Increase the screen size.
The Galaxy S7 features a good – not great – screen by smartphone standards. In fact, the smartphone’s 5.1-inch display is perfectly fine for watching videos, taking photos or playing games on your phone. But then again, couldn’t it be better?
Here’s hoping that Samsung shoots for the moon with the Galaxy S8 and incorporates a bigger, better screen into its next release.
Rumors abound that Samsung may offer two Galaxy S8 models: one with a 5.8-inch screen and one with a 6.2-inch screen. Fingers crosses that these rumors are true. If so, many Galaxy S8 owners are sure to smile any time they use their phones.
4. Upgrade to a 4K AMOLED screen.
If Samsung boosts the screen size with its next Galaxy release, wouldn’t it be great if the company upped the display quality as well? It makes perfect sense for Samsung to take a close look at its Samsung S7 display quality and explore ways to enhance it.
Now, the Samsung S7 boasts a quad HD super AMOLED display that features unparalleled quality. In the future, we’d like to see a 4K AMOLED screen, one that brings videos, photos and games to life like never before.
If Samsung can bring our dreams of a Galaxy device with a 4K AMOLED screen to life, the company may be able to further distance itself from Apple in the global smartphone market as well.
3. Boost the screen aspect ratio.
Believe it or not, a wider screen aspect ratio could make a world of difference with the Galaxy S8.
The standard aspect ratio of 16:9 is wonderful, but the latest Galaxy S8 leaks have led us to believe that a device with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio may be right around the corner. This aspect ratio is the next step forward in video technology and likely means the next Galaxy device will be slightly taller and narrower than the Galaxy S7. And ultimately, the enhanced aspect ratio will make it easy for you to watch your favorite TV shows and movies in amazing quality you might not have thought possible on a handheld device.
2. Move the fingerprint sensor.
For many of us, we’ve become accustomed to putting our thumb on the home button of our smartphone to access our devices securely. But imagine what it would be like if there was more space for your phone screen thanks to a fingerprint sensor that was placed on the back of your device.
The Galaxy S8 should transform this vision into a reality, and for good reason.
If Samsung plans to up the screen size of its next Galaxy device, it may need to find space on the front of its devices. This means Samsung could move the Galaxy S8 fingerprint sensor to the back, freeing up space for a bigger and better screen.
1. Offer a safe, reliable and powerful battery.
We’ve all heard about the fire and explosion issues associated with the Galaxy Note 7’s battery. Samsung has hired third-party researchers to investigate the fire and explosion issues and is working diligently to address the problems.
Although the Galaxy Note 7 battery problems may prove to be costly for Samsung, the issues may provide a wake-up call for the company.
Going forward, Samsung may rededicate itself to the safety of its consumers and ensure they can enjoy the best batteries in all Samsung devices. Can Samsung provide a Galaxy S8 battery that is safe, reliable and powerful? We’ll soon find out.