Samsung Galaxy S7 release date, specs & update: South Korean company looking at an early January 2016 release?

Samsung's newest flagship phone might be released earlier than usual, according to a report.

South Korea's Electronic Times reports that the mobile device giant will be releasing the Galaxy S7 in Jan. 2016, a month earlier than what was first announced. Samsung finalized its designs for the handset last month and will reportedly begin production. The outlet added that Samsung plans that the earlier release will offset the chances of Apple's iPhone 6S getting more sales.

Additionally, the premium models by the South Korean company will be divided into "Premium" and "Sub-Premium" categories. CNET adds that because of this, Samsung now has four price categories—high end, mid-range, low-end and sub premium. This strategic move will reportedly keep the company's competitors at bay no matter the market.

As for the S7's phone specs, various rumors have floated in and out of the internet but there has been no confirmed information from the mobile device giant so far.

As far as rumors go, the International Business Times reports that the Galaxy S7 will have a 20-megapixel camera sensor, the first handset of its kind, and it can allegedly run on less power and takes only little space which makes the unit slimmer. It will reportedly measure 1/2.6". The camera has enhanced light sensitivity and noise ration for taking pictures in areas with little light.

The S7 will also reportedly feature display similar to the 3D Touch. According to Slash Gear, the company has a patent for the feature at the ready and compounded by the rumors that Samsung will be licensing its ClearForce technology, it would suggest that the S7 may be built with it too.

For the phone's housing, G for Games cites Chinese website, Weibo, that Samsung's Galaxy S7 will be built with a magnesium alloy chassis which is stronger than the ones used in its predecessor, Galaxy S6. There will also be a glass panel installed on the back of the device.

As for the handset's system on chip (SoC), Tech Times reports that it is unclear whether it will be a SnapDragon 820 or something from the company's Exynos 7 line. However, a report from GSM Arena states that the S7 handsets with Exynos 8890 will be available to Europe, Japan and South Korea. While the Exynos 7422 SoC powered S7 will go to India.  The US will reportedly get the Galaxy S7 with Snapdragon 820 SoC. Additionally, the phone will reportedly run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which is rumoredly the first phone to come out installed with it.