Codenames, Model Numbers For Samsung Galaxy S8 Surface; No Headphone Jack And Earlier Release Date?

Samsung may be in trouble with its Galaxy Note 7 batteries, but that’s not stopping rumors from circulating about the company’s next smartphone for 2017, the Galaxy S8. The upcoming handset is already expected to only come with a dual edge panel and will be available in two screen sizes.

It’s been recently discovered that the Samsung Galaxy S8 is being called internally as the Dream and Dream2, according to SamMobile. These are possibly the official codenames for the two models of the handset. The Dream handset is said to carry the model number SM-G950, while the Dream2 carries SMG955.

The interesting thing about the model numbers is that Samsung is avoiding the number 4 as that is associated with bad luck in South Korea. Samsung usually adds 10 to the model numbers for its new device each year. The Galaxy S7 carried the model number SM-G930, so the Galaxy S8 should have been given the model number SM-G940.

As for the actual hardware features of the Galaxy S8, it looks like Samsung is taking a page from Apple’s book. Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus don’t come with the 3.5mm headphone jack, a design choice that the South Korean company is planning to do with the Galaxy S8, according to Digital Music News. Samsung is believed to be working on its own proprietary headphone jack which the company plans to license off to other Android smartphone manufacturers.

A lot of consumers have already voiced their disappointments over Apple’s decision to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7, and this could be the same response if Samsung is planning to ditch it as well. The only major difference here is that at least Samsung wants other Android smartphone makers to use it with their devices, which means that adopting to the new port will be easier and faster.

Talking about release date, it’s very likely that Samsung could announce the Galaxy S8 a lot earlier than originally planned. This is because of the Galaxy Note 7 recall which is going to cost the company a lot of money. “If Samsung’s flagship smartphone launch is delayed to the end of the first quarter of next year, the profitability of the mobile business division could be worsened next year,” KB Investment & Securities analyst Kim San-pyo told The Korea Herald (via BGR). “Regardless of the sales resumption, an earlier launch of a new flagship model seems to be the most realistic solution with the current recall crisis.”

To put it simply, if Samsung wants to soften the blow of the Galaxy Note 7 recall, it would have to come out with a new device sooner rather than later. The problem with this plan is that rushing production of the Galaxy S8 could also introduce a whole new problem.