CONTENTS

•  UK release date
 
•  UK price
 
•  Specifications & new features

For the past two years we've awarded Samsung's Galaxy S-series the crown for best smartphone. It was doing so well until the *cough* Note 7, but the company will pull out all the stops in 2017 to reverse its fortunes. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus will be announced in early 2017. Here are the facts you need to know, as we round up the best S8 rumours, speculating on the Samsung S8 UK release date, price and specifications. Also see: Best new phones coming in 2017

With speculation that Samsung will make standard the dual-curved-edge screen previously used only for its edge models, it's unlikely that the company will continue to distinguish between its Galaxy S-series models in this manner. Since the key differences will now be the size, battery capacity and potentially the camera, we think Samsung might choose to go down the Apple route and call what would be the Galaxy S8 edge the Galaxy S8 Plus.

And we're not the only ones who think this. Our theory has been backed up by a report in the Korean Herald, which says Samsung has hinted at removing the standard flat-screen version and replacing it with the edge model. Now that decision appears to have been finalised, and a new report from the same publication says the company is sourcing 5.1- and 5.5in dual-edge screens.

Complete guide to Galaxy S8: UK release date

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus UK release date is expected to be in April 2017, with the new Samsung phones announced at a Samsung Unpacked event on 26 February 2017. Some say it will be pushed back until the second half of the year, following news that Samsung will start using LG Chem batteries from the second half of 2017, but we think it will be the Note 8 rather than Galaxy S8 that is the first to get an LG battery - after all, that is the phone people are worried about.

For more information read Galaxy S8 UK release date rumours - should you buy Galaxy S7 or wait for Galaxy S8?

Complete guide to Galaxy S8: UK price

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are thought to cost a little more than the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge as Samsung looks to do damage limitation following the discontinuation of the Galaxy Note 7. The entry-level Galaxy S8 will likely cost £599, and the Galaxy S8 Plus £669.

For more information read Galaxy S8 UK price rumours.

Complete guide to Galaxy S8: Specifications & new features

Samsung will likely go all out with its Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus as it attempts to restore its reputation in the Android smartphone market. Key specification rumours are as follows:

• 5.5/5.7in Quad-HD SuperAMOLED Always-On bezel-less display with dual-curved edge; 6.2in display for Galaxy S8 Plus
• Android 7.1 Nougat with TouchWiz and Viv AI assistant
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 835/Exynos 8895 (may as previously be region-specific)
• Adreno 540/ARM Mali-G71 GPU
• 6GB/8GB of RAM
• Dual-camera (potentially on the Plus model only)
• Selfie camera with autofocus
• Harman Kardon stereo speakers
• Fingerprint scanner integrated to the screen (physical Home button removed)
• USB-C with support for digital audio, replacing 3.5mm headphone jack

The below Samsung Galaxy S8 concept video has been created byConcept Creator: