Samsung and LG are reportedly planning to launch their next Android flagship phones sometime in January in a bid to keep up with the competition, according to a new report by BusinessKorea citing industry sources. The rumored Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus are supposed to arrive two months before the usual launch window for Samsung’s series of Galaxy S devices which has a tradition of March unveilings.
Recent reports indicate that instead of revealing its upcoming flagship mobile devices in March, the South Korean original equipment manufacturer will be introducing the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 starting in mid-January in Las Vegas, Nevada. As to the possible features of the phone, some sources claim the Galaxy S9 lineup will boast a dual-camera setup in keeping with the latest trends, in addition to supposedly having support for a FaceID-like tool that will build on Samsung’s mobile iris scanner and facial recognition solutions. Recent rumors also had it that the Galaxy S9 flagship series will feature a thinner bottom bezel and Samsung’s Infinity Display panel with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9, as well as a QHD+ resolution. Additionally, the Galaxy S9 is said to include a 5.8-inch display, while the Galaxy S9 Plus will supposedly have a 6.2-inch screen. Samsung is reportedly planning to kick off mass production of the Galaxy S9 series at some point in December, according to rumors that emerged earlier this month.
Meanwhile, LG is expected to adopt a similar strategy of moving its premium product launch window to a date earlier than its usual February unveiling during Mobile World Congress. Instead, it will reportedly pick a date in January for the announcement of its upcoming LG G7 flagship. The decision to move the launch of its next flagship device ahead of its usual schedule is inspired by the recent positive market reception of the LG G6, which was introduced a month earlier than its rivals this year. It’s currently unclear whether Samsung and LG’s earlier launches will automatically lead to their high-end Android products hitting the shelves sooner than they did this year.