Samsung Galaxy S7 release date, specs, price & update: two versions of the flagship smartphone pegged for a January debut? [RUMORS]

• comments
• 
• 

Know Your Mobile reports the South Korean smartphone manufacturer is not doing as well as they expected. The bad sales may prompt the company to release the two S7 variants on a much earlier date and bringing back popular features.

For the last two years, the launch is made to coincide with the Mobile World Congress, around the last week of February or the first weeks of March. PC Mag believes that the new devices may come as early as January 2016.

"AT&T already testing both Galaxy S7 variants (SM-G930A and -G935A), adding weight to rumors of an early- to mid-1Q16 release," renowned phone leaker Evan Bass said on Twitter.

Samsung may release the two S7 Edge variants at the same time. Measuring 5.2 inches and 5.7 inches, the models may be called the Edge and Edge Plus.

There are varying theories on how the two devices will look.

According to Know Your Mobile's report, both models will feature a curved edge display on all sides. On the other hand, PC Mag reports that the smaller model will feature the standard flat display while the 5.7-inch variant will feature the curved edges.

International Business Times has featured a concept design by 3DFutureStudio. The design is based on a patent filed by Samsung.

Reports by HD Blog confirm that the Asian technology company is considering this novel design for its new phone.

The same source speculates that the variants may feature either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or Samsung's Exynos 8890 processor. A report by Tech Times indicates that the devices will have 4GB RAM built in, giving it a lot of speed.

It is also expected to come with the new USB-C.

Considering the backlash that Samsung received after removing the microSD slot in the S6, Forbes says the smartphone manufacturer is getting a change of heart. Rumors indicate that the company intends to reintroduce the expandable storage slot in the upcoming S7.

Rivals such as HTC and LG have taken advantage of this change by promoting the slot for their phones.

Numerous reports indicate that the S7 will come with a 20MP Britecell-based camera at the rear. However, according to Weibo, Samsung is attempting to convince Sony to let them use the same IMX300 23 MP sensor found inside Sony's Xperia Z5.

The tip does not confirm whether Samsung is planning to use their own ISOCELL technology, go for Sony's own sensors or use a variety of sensors, depending on the model and region.