Samsung Galaxy S8 hides home button and gains Bixby AI

Samsung’s latest flagship phones have ditched the physical home button found in their predecessors and introduced a new virtual assistant. The screens of the Galaxy S8 and bigger S8+ are also larger despite the devices being about the same size as last year’s S7 and S7 Edge. This time, both models feature displays that curve round the phones’ sides.

“The Galaxy S8 is arguably the most important launch of the last 10 years for Samsung and every aspect will be under the microscope following the Note 7 recall,” commented Ben Wood from the CCS tech consultancy. “The S8 is a unquestionably a strong product but Samsung must now deliver a faultless launch to move on from its earlier difficulties. If this happens, it will emerge in an even stronger position.”

The new devices will be released on 21 April. The S8 is priced at £690 and the S8+ at £780 - a jump on last year’s entry prices of £569 for the S7 and £639 for the S7 Edge. Samsung was the bestselling handset manufacturer for 2016 according to market research firm IDC.

The displays of the S8 and S8+, measuring 5.8in (14.7cm) and 6.2in (15.7cm) respectively, mean a more stretched aspect ratio than before, pushing the screens closer to the top and bottom of the handsets. Therefore, Samsung’s logo no longer features on the front, and the physical home button is replaced with an on-screen icon - in a comparable manner to rival Android phones from Huawei and LG.

A pressure sensor and vibration module have, however, been built into the space behind the new virtual button to provide feedback.

Samsung suggests the displays’ 18.5:9 ratio makes them better suited to running two apps side by side. For example, there is now space to watch a video, use a chat app and still have room for a full touch-keyboard.