samsung galaxy note 8
Reuters

It looks like Samsung will be dropping its next-generation smartphone sooner than expected. New reports suggest that the Seoul mobile phone maker might be releasing the Galaxy Note 8 before Apple could do so with its iPhone 8.

August release

Samsung is reportedly reconsidering the timing of its final smartphone release for this fiscal year. According to a report from a South Korean publication, the company is gunning for an August release of the Galaxy Note 8, which is way ahead of Apple's initial discharge plans for the iPhone 8.

The Korea Herald points out that Samsung is looking into a late August launch, a schedule that what it called a strategic move ahead of iPhone 8's expected first public appearance in September. While rumours pertaining to iPhone 8's specifications have been around since last year, this simply implies that tech pundits and fans alike are looking forward to Apple dropping its 10th anniversary iPhone.

18.5:9 aspect ratio

In the meantime, the Galaxy Note 8 has previously been rumoured to assimilate some of the Galaxy S8's design, including the 18.5:9 aspect ratio. Samsung's move from the conventional 16:9 ratio had been controversial primarily because most videos fit the old sizing. Implementing the 18.5:9 ratio could well mean viewing videos horizontally in full view will render a couple millimetres of black pixels on the sides.

4K resolution display

The Galaxy Note 7 has also been reported to sport a 6.3-inch edge-to-edge Infinity display with 4K resolution. While there is no mobile company yet that offers this groundbreaking innovation, Samsung is rumoured to bank on such feature in order to replenish the grandeur of the Galaxy Note line.

Apart from the rumoured 4K resolution display is the onscreen fingerprint scanner. With the Galaxy S8, it is currently placed at the back panel, right below the vertical dual camera. Speaking of the dual camera, the Galaxy Note 8 is said to have a 13-megapixel telephoto lens and a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with a photodiode ability which is excellent for low-light conditions.