Samsung’s Galaxy S8 handsets are undoubtedly a high water mark for smartphone design and current indications are that the Korean giant will let it ride for another year.
Recent reports suggest the Samsung Galaxy S9 will be almost identical to the gorgeous 2017 model, complete with the 18:9 Infinity Display.
Essentially it’s going to be an ’S’ release akin to those Apple has been peddling for years with its iPhone releases.
That’s save for a few minor tweaks, like the positioning of the fingerprint sensor, which was perhaps the most unpopular quirk of this years’s model.
Although nothing’s confirmed until Samsung outs it on stage (or @ev_leaks gets ahold of a render), today has brought more evidence of design alignment.
An anonymous Weibo user in China (yeah, we know, don’t shoot the messenger) has posted an alleged rear cover from the Galaxy S9 (below via BGR).
Via Weibo
It shows a new position for the LED flash heart-rate sensor and a longer opening for the camera hardware, but no space for the fingerprint scanner.
All of that ties in with previous reports, suggesting the fingerprint scanner will be relocated just below the camera, as opposed to off-centre.
Not always the plan?
Although most Samsung fans will be fine with the decision to retain the S8’s design, it appears this wasn’t the company’s plan all along.
Until very recently it appeared Samsung could be first to a potentially revolutionary touchscreen feature, which included an integrated fingerprint scanner from Synaptics.
Ears pricked-up when the firm said it was working with a “top 5” smartphone company on an in-display fingerprint scanner. However, reports this month have poured cold water on the possibility.
Will you be buying a Samsung Galaxy S9, regardless of design changes? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
