The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ barely went on sale recently, yet it looks like Samsung is busy with the next-generation Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ already.
While the rumor mill has been mainly churning in anticipation of the Galaxy Note 8 expected later this year, it seems that the Galaxy S9 line is also among Samsung's priorities and the future flagships of next year are already in full development.
Galaxy S9 And Galaxy S9+ Already In Development
As the Korean publication The Bell reports (translated), development for Samsung's next flagship smartphone line is in full swing and the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are codenamed Star and Star 2, respectively.
The publication further notes that Samsung kicked off development for the Galaxy S9 line roughly three or four months earlier than for the Galaxy S8 line. This may indicate either that the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will hit the market earlier next year, or that they will incorporate more complex and advanced features and technology that take longer to implement.
With the Galaxy S8, for instance, Samsung was rumored to offer in-display fingerprint authentication, but it reportedly ran out of time with the implementation. Rather than delay the smartphone's release, it opted for a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner instead.
Samsung is rumored to embed the fingerprint scanner into the display with its upcoming Galaxy Note 8, and most likely the future Galaxy S9 line as well. Should this be the case, it would make sense for the company to get an early start on development to ensure it doesn't run out of time like with the Galaxy S8. The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ should hit the scene sometime in the first few months of 2018.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Early Rumors
Samsung always equips its Galaxy S flagships with top-notch specs and next year's Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ should be no different. Early rumors already hinted at another collaboration with Qualcomm for the next top-of-the-line Snapdragon processor, currently referred to as the Snapdragon 845.
The two companies are reportedly working on the chip right now, and we could see another period of exclusivity like we did with the Snapdragon 835 and Galaxy S8 line. Taiwanese company TMSC will reportedly be in charge of manufacturing once Samsung and Qualcomm finalize the chip.
Qualcomm's other partners might not be too happy about another period of exclusivity for Samsung, however, so it remains to be seen how things will unfold in the end.
Other than the top Snapdragon chip, not many details surfaced so far about the Galaxy S9 purported specs. It's still very early, however, and a lot could change until the Galaxy S9's 2018 debut.
For now, Samsung is expected to equip its next-generation flagship with in-display fingerprint authentication, dual rear cameras, the next Snapdragon flagship processor, and perhaps more RAM.
With nearly a year left before the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are expected to hit the market, it's highly recommended to take these early rumors with a big grain of salt.
