November 21, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics has recently started developing its next Galaxy S smartphone under codename “Star,” The Bell reported on May 24.

According to the report, the new phone, tentatively dubbed the Galaxy S9, is expected to come in two sizes -- regular size “Star” and the bigger-screen version “Star2.”

The current S8 had the codename “Project Dream” after a Samsung executive said of the then upcoming launch as a “dream to overcome Apple.” Its outdoor version Galaxy S8 Active that will be launched in the US this year is said to be called “Cruiser” reflecting the phone’s enhanced water- and dust-resistance and durability.

The report said no drastic change is expected for the S9 in key features, including the display screen.

“It may be too early to say about the phone but I heard the display panel will be the same as the current S8,” an industry source was quoted as saying.

Like the S8, the S9 is likely to feature a higher screen-to-body ratio and ditch the physical home button at the bottom of the front panel. Sources say Samsung could upgrade its force touch technology to be applied for the entire display area.

Samsung usually starts a new phone project a year before the official launch but the company has reportedly advanced the schedule for the S9 -- about three to four months earlier -- possibly to spend more time on quality control.

“The phone’s production would start as early as late this year,” the source added.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)