http://www.phonearena.com/news/This...nouncement-date-circle-your-calendars_id85340
This is the most probable Samsung Galaxy S8 announcement date, circle your calendars
So, based on the presumption that Samsung will announce its next batch of high-end devices just before MWC 2017, which will be held between February 27 - March 2, 2017, our educated guess is that Samsung will show the Galaxy S8 during a keynote event on
February 26, 2017
iPhone 7 reviews say Apple has brought the camera -- mainly in the 7 Plus model -- up to par with S7/Edge and Note 7 offerings. I wonder what Samsung will do with the S8 camera going forward. It has to not only continue upping the iPhone, but it has to be ready for what the 2017 iPhone will bring, too. I think it's safe to assume we can expect dual cameras, but will Samsung limit it to just the bigger model like Apple? I sure hope not.
Rumors are also saying both 5.1" and 5.5" models will sport the new and improved Note 7 version of the edge panels. Can you imagine the ergonomics and footprint of the 5.1" model?
And will this year finally see some bigger redesign elements? I don't think Samsung should risk going 3 years in a row with such a similar design, but I also don't expect them to change it drastically. I suspect we'll see a redesigned home button (hopefully capacitive), dual cameras on the back, and hopefully some dual speaker set up? Again, the iPhone 7 now sports dual speakers, so Samsung will have to venture into this territory somehow. I hope they're able to find a way to make them both front-facing. Just cause HTC abandoned it, doesn't mean Samsung can't figure out a way to do it to while making it waterproof and look well designed. If they adopt the HTC/Apple method of having the earpiece act as the second speaker, then so be it, too. They might need the room upfront for the new IRIS scanner, too.
All this will bring about design changes. And, needless to say, Samsung production has to be buttoned up. Obviously no more faulty batteries, but they also can't afford any other "gate" like mishap. Minor ones will exist as they do with all launches, but they can't take another major hit. Not with their other flagship line.
Software wise will be very interesting too. Now that Android N has some of the features that made TW stand out, how will they press forward to improve TouchWiz? The usual "lean and mean" clean up of TouchWiz is expected; they've been improving with each iteration year over year, but what will they add? I hope they implement some form of "raise to wake" to compliment the IRIS scanner.
And will they be able to wrangle any control from the carriers? With the Note 7 debacle, maybe their power has waned. I'd expect not much to happen on this front. This doesn't bother me as much as it bothers other people, but I still think this is something Samsung has to pursue. At least there'll be unlocked versions a couple of months after release, assuming Samsung continues that relatively new tradition.
If Samsung can learn from the battery mistake and have the S8 production buttoned up, if they can build upon the Note 7 technologies, and if they can continue matching and challenging their biggest rival, Apple, now that they're finally catching up in hardware, then the S8 should be a great device. I hope they keep going.