Update: The past week has seen plenty of interesting rumor mill candidates, including early details of
a Dex Pad, rumored to be sold alongside the revamped Samsung flagship.
Additionally, some believable renders and word that the S9 and S9 Plus are nearing production prove that this phone is getting closer and closer to its release date. Best news of all? Samsung looks set to keep the 3.5mm headphone jack with a new leak suggesting the phone will have the port along its bottom edge.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 hit stores in early 2017, so it makes sense that we're hearing about the Samsung Galaxy S9, as it might only be months away.
The rumors are coming thick and fast for what the new phone will look like and feature, so we've sifted through to bring you the information you need to know about this incoming phone, as well as answering some key questions.
And below all that you'll find our wish list of the various things we most want from Samsung's next flagship.
What's the new Samsung Galaxy S9 news?
A photo seemingly showing the Galaxy S9's back glass has leaked, as have several case renders. Plus we've heard word the Galaxy S9 will keep its 3.5mm headphone jack.
What will the Samsung Galaxy S9 price be?
We're expecting £639 / $725 / AU$1200 based on current projections, as the Galaxy S9 is likely to come in around the same price as its predecessor. Given we're not expecting massive design changes, we doubt too high a price rise.
What's the Samsung Galaxy S9 release date?
We're expecting a February or March 2018 launch. While recent rumors suggest the S9 will launch in January, that seems too early given people are locked into contract cycles. There was talk that it might be teased at CES in January, before a March launch, but Samsung has now come out and said that any showing of the S9 in January is "unlikely."
Nevertheless, recent rumors indicate that the S9 is nearing its moment to hit the production line. The wait might not be as long as we once feared.
Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy S8 below.
Samsung Galaxy S9 price and release date
Hottest leaks:
- An early 2018 announcement
The top leaks suggests the new Samsung Galaxy S9 will be ready to go at MWC 2018 in February 2018. We've also heard another rumor pointing to a late February announcement, followed by an early March launch.
Last year's model was launched later than expected at the end of March, so it's highly possible Samsung could return to the Barcelona trade show to show off the new model.
Other recent rumors state that - due to the fact the OLED screens likely to be used in the phones are being made earlier than usual - the Galaxy S9 will launch in January, but that would seem far too early for many reasons, not least because people who bought the S8 wouldn't be eligible to upgrade to it right away.
We had heard that the Galaxy S9 might be teased in January, but then launched a little later, however Samsung has now said that a January tease is "unlikely."
What we can safely predict is that the Samsung Galaxy S9 is sure to be expensive, as the Galaxy S8 launched at $720, £689, AU$1,199.
Samsung Galaxy S9 screen
Hottest leaks:
- An in-screen scanner
- A water-repellent coating
The Bell reports unnamed industry sources saying that Samsung has been hard at work on the display panels for the Galaxy S9 since late March 2017. If true, that’s apparently about six months earlier than usual.
As for the form the screen will take, it's rumored (and likely) to retain the Galaxy S8's 18.5:9 aspect ratio.
There's also a good chance it will be the same size as the Galaxy S8, coming in at 5.8 inches, though one rumor puts it at 5.65 inches. It's also sure to be curved and continue Samsung's trend of using Super AMOLED, which delivers vibrant visuals and good contrast.
The biggest change could be an in-screen fingerprint scanner, which has been rumored. Notably the new Qualcomm Fingerprint Sensor can sit below quite thick displays, and OLED technology (used in Samsung flagship phones) was specifically mentioned.
Synaptics has also announced an in-screen scanner and mentioned not just OLED but also "infinity display" (which is what Samsung calls the S8's screen) and that it's being used on a phone made by a top five manufacturer.
All of that points to the Samsung Galaxy S9 having fingerprint-sensing technology below the glass.
Then again, one tipster claims an in-screen scanner isn't in the cards, as does another recent report, so don't count on that feature just yet.
Aside from that, in late 2016 Samsung licensed a new glass coating technology that makes water bounce off your smartphone screen. Samsung plans to include this tech in an upcoming phone, so it may mean the Galaxy S9 is much easier to use in the rain. Watch the video below to see how the technology works
