Android Circuit: New Galaxy S9 Leaks, OnePlus 5T Confirmed, Samsung’s Secret Power

Taking a look back at seven days of news and headlines across the world of Android, this week’s Android Circuit includes new Samsung Galaxy S9 leaks, Samsung’ secret power inside the S9, Pixel 2 XL screen burn solutions, Razer’s first smartphone, OnePlus confirms the 5T, the Pixel Visual Core advantage, the budget friendly Nokia 2, and the burger emoji fight.

Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that have happened around Android in the last week (and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here).

Talking About The Leaked Back Of The Galaxy S9

Details on the Samsung’s Galaxy S9 continue to leak out and we’re starting to get some clear indications on what we can expect from the South Korean flagship when it arrives in early 2018. The latest information concerns the rear of the smartphone. Forbes Gordon Kelly reports:

Of course the most obvious way the Galaxy S9 would change in a big way would be with the addition of dual cameras, as seen on the excellent Galaxy Note 8. With dual camera pressure from Apple, LG and Huawei as well as Google’s superlative Pixel 2 camera, this is nailed on in my opinion.

But there are two other areas where Samsung could also greatly improve the back of the Galaxy S9. Firstly it must move the fingerprint sensor into a more central, easier to reach position. Secondly it should copy Google’s Pixel 2 smartphones with a mix of aluminium and glass – the former adds durability, the latter is necessary to retain wireless charging which (unlike some) Samsung does right.

More here on Forbes.

The Lesser-Spotted SnapDragon 845

Some of the changes inside the Galaxy S9 are a little bit more predictable, such as the latest SnapDragon chipset from Qualcomm. Not only will Samsung have a power advantage if it uses the SnapDragon 845 it’s also going to have a commercial advantage thanks to a rumored period of exclusivity, as I reported earlier this week:

But the increased capability of the 845 will not be available to everyone in the first half of the year. The Galay S9 is expected to have a period of exclusivity where it will be the only handset that will carry the 845. After that period is up the volume of Galaxy S9 sales will likely preserve an effective monopoly until other manufacturers build up sufficient stock to go to market.

This follows a similar pattern from 2017, where the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus launched with exclusive access to the SnapDragon 835, which is now the de facto chip for many Android flagship handsets.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2017/11/03/android-google-news-headlines-samsung-galaxys9-razer-nokia-oneplus-leak/#60ff3fec8122