10 Features Samsung Should Build Into the Galaxy S8 Smartphone

Samsung needs a winner in its next smartphone to restore customer confidence. It might have one in the Galaxy S8, if the rumors about the device are correct.

Several recent rumors have said Samsung is working on a new design for its Galaxy S8.: an all-glass face, giving users far more screen real estate to view content and interact with the software. The handset also is rumored to be thinner and have a notably different look than its predecessor, according to reports.

The big screens and all-glass face in the Galaxy S8 mean one thing: the Samsung Home Button could be eliminated. According to several reports, Samsung is planning to deliver a capacitive touch button that would sit behind the smartphone’s glass. The move would mean there would be no physical buttons on the Galaxy S8’s face, marking the first time Samsung has offered such a feature. Apple is also rumored to be working on the feature. We’ll see which company’s model reaches the market first.

Samsung is said to be working on different screen sizes in the Galaxy S8. The first and smaller version will come with a 5.7-inch screen, according to reports. The second will deliver a 6.2-inch display. Both sizes would be bigger than the iPhone 7 Plus’ 5.5-inch screen and among the larger smartphones Samsung has ever released.

Expect the Samsung Galaxy S8 to ship with serious power. The smartphone could come with the latest Samsung Exynos chip or a high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, along with the best Adreno GPU on the market. Samsung has long been one of the market’s power leaders, and it could (and should) keep that crown in 2017.

All this talk of hardware improvements doesn’t mean Samsung can forget about software. The company’s TouchWiz interface has been generally well-received but could always use some improvements to its design and features. The Galaxy S8 will be successful only if its software is as elegant and appealing as its hardware.

Battery life could be a differentiating factor for Samsung’s Galaxy S8. The company should try its best to deliver a battery that both lasts a long time and recharges quickly. However, given the troubles with the Galaxy Note7’s battery, Samsung must ensure its testing on the component is enough to guarantee it will work perfectly every time.

It’s critical that Samsung offers some sort of assurance on the safety and reliability of the Galaxy S8. The company should launch a third-party testing process on its devices that demonstrates its reliability. At the smartphone’s unveiling, Samsung should point to all of the safety rules it has added to its development and manufacturing process and provide a guarantee to customers that the Galaxy S8 will be safe. Without that, some smartphone buyers might be wary of picking up the device.

China’s Huawei is taking the lead in the mobile market on offering warranties that forgive customers for accidental damage. The company is also willing to take back devices without question. Samsung should follow suit. With an industry-leading warranty program, Samsung can go a long way in achieving its customer-assurance goals, as well as differentiate itself from other top competitors, such as Apple, that don’t offer a well-rounded warranty. Such a move might help buyers forget the Galaxy Note7 debacle.

Earlier this year, Samsung acquired artificial-intelligence company Viv Labs to boost its presence in the AI space. Rumors of late have said Samsung could offer an AI button in the Galaxy S8 that would activate a digital virtual assistant to help users get things done. Given how well-received Viv’s software has been and the excitement surrounding the company, Samsung’s AI efforts sound awfully appealing.

Rumors abound over what Samsung might charge for the Galaxy S8. But they nearly all agree that the company could surprise customers and offer the new models for a lower price than it placed on the Galaxy S line. It would be a welcome move, as Samsung smartphones are really expensive. Offering a more competitive price on a higher-end smartphone would make the Galaxy S8 far more appealing and achieve Samsung’s goal of putting extra pressure on competitors such as Apple’s iPhone.