Samsung Galaxy S8 Release Date, Specs Rumors: Latest Leak Previews On-Screen Home Button

By Jessica Ferrera, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Weeks before the much awaited reveal of the Samsung Galaxy S8, a new photo was leaked showing a purported on-screen virtual home button.

Reports picked up on a social media post from Slashleaks with the photo of a supposed finished unit of the Galaxy S8. The smartphone obviously sports a square-shaped virtual home button placed at the bottom bezel of the device. According to Slashleaks, the photo came from "a case making company" who refused to be identified in the report.

What's becoming a stronger topic of speculations now is that the physical home button is gone. As supported by several earlier leaks, Samsung has chosen a bigger screen and thinner bezels over the signature home key of previous Samsung smartphones.

The latest photo leak continues to tease a wider screen ratio for future Galaxy S8 owners. According to CNet's report on the photo leak, the image suggests that the upcoming Samsung device will continue to sport a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, likely a USB Type-C port at the bottom, while the slots for the microSD card and SIM card might be placed on the top edge, and the customary front and rear cameras.

And with the removal of the physical home button, Samsung has been rumored to move its fingerprint scanner to the back, right beside the camera. There are other speculations that this might also double as a physical home button. If that information is accurate, it could contradict the leaked virtual home key as having them both might seem redundant. The Verge also commented that it is unlikely for Samsung to "force" future Galaxy S8 owners to reach to the other side of the device just to go back to the home screen.

Earlier reports have it that the Samsung Galaxy S8 will be revealed in a dedicated event on March 29. It has also been leaked that the device will hit the shelves on April 21. However, a newer report by Venture Beat says the retail release has been pushed back for another week, according to a person briefed by Samsung about the matter.