Galaxy S8 Release Date, News, and Update: Samsung to Scrap Home Button on S8

By Christian Pilares
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Samsung is working hard on the S8 to ensure that it does not end up like the Galaxy Note 7. Pang Kakit/ Wikipedia

The failure of Galaxy Note 7 is such a loss for the Korean tech giant that it would take a long time before the company can fully recover from the blow. Now, Samsung is betting on its Galaxy S8 to reverse things for them.

The Upcoming Galaxy S8

Samsung is hard at work in developing the Galaxy S8. According to the latest information, the phone could be launched on April 2017. This is contrary to initial reports which stated that the phone would be launched at the MWC 2017, which is scheduled from February 27 to March 2, 2017. The delay could be a sign that Samsung is not taking any chances this time and that they want their latest smartphone to be the best model that they can come up with.

Samsung is supposed to receive the first batch of parts for the new phone by January of next year so they can assemble the first prototypes for testing. By February, more refined prototypes should be ready for tests.

Samsung is sure to conduct more rigorous tests so there would be no more repeats of the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. If all goes well with the testing, then mass production should start by March. That is, if Samsung is targeting an April launch for the model.

There is still no word yet if Samsung has finally figured out what went wrong with the Galaxy Note 7 battery. That's why it is not be surprising if they pushed back the launch of their latest smartphone to ensure that the problem with Galaxy Note 7 would not be repeated.

The S8 Features

There are rumors going around about the features of the S8, like the 5.1" QHD screen and the iris scanner. There is talk that the home button would be scrapped altogether. This would be a major departure from the past design principles followed in past Samsung models.

There are those who believe that the S8 would use an all-glass front. That would mean that the   ultrasonic fingerprint scanner would have to be placed underneath the glass. Perhaps Samsung will be trying to achieve the all-screen look that has already been seen on Mi MIX, which is a model from Xiaomi. The ultrasonic sensor from Qualcomm is supposed to be more accurate than the usual biometric readers that are in use today. Supposedly, it can read prints even when fingers are wet.

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories