Galaxy S8: Final Details On Colors and Pricing

With 10 days to go before Samsung’s big unveil we have seen the new design, greatly enlarged displays, internal upgrades, enhanced camera and even the release date. And now we have the final missing details…

Evan Blass, aka @evleaks, perhaps the world’s most recognisable leaker has provided the new information and what we learn will divide opinion.

For starters Samsung looks set to launch the Galaxy S8 and larger Galaxy S8 Plus in just three fairly unexciting colors. Blass tweets images of the new phones in ‘black sky’, ‘orchid grey’ and ‘arctic silver’. A less known source claims purple will be available, but it seems Samsung is keeping things pretty basic at launch.

The good news is Samsung always introduces new colour options during the lifespan of its smartphones, so expect the familiar rose gold, green and even red options of previous generations to appear at some point. Though it is frustrating that it seems you’ll be in for a wait.

Secondly another Blass tweet delivered pricing information in euros for both handsets, and this also comes with good and bad news. According to the leaker, Samsung is set to increase the asking price of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus over its 2016 models to €799 and €899 respectively. This is a €100 price increase on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.

But this might not be as bad as expected. Previously leaks had suggested the new phones could start at over $1,000. Now European prices include tax, but prices are also significantly higher than in the US so $799 and $899 looks likely. Furthermore Samsung is delivering much bigger displays (5.8-inch and 6.2-inch vs 5.1-inch and 5.5-inch) and is believed to have increased base storage from 32GB to 64GB (plus microSD) which significantly sweetens the price hike.

Ultimately Samsung will finally put all these rumours to bed later this month, but perhaps the bigger question is – with Apple also redesigning the iPhone in 2017 – has the company managed to keep any surprises up its sleeve? I’m hoping for a last minute change to its one stupid flaw.

Credit: Forbes