The Samsung Galaxy S8 is one of the most anticipated phones of its generation. The smartphone will be announced at the end of the month, and that's when we'll be able to confirm all the details. technical characteristics which it will have. Now, new information has emerged indicating that a section of the phone's screen will be pressure-sensitive, similar to the Touch 3D from the iPhone. The idea isn't entirely new, but applied to the navigation bar it could change the way we interact with Android.
Pressure sensitive display
It's not a new technology. In fact, we've seen different phones with this technology for some time now. The first one rumored to have such a screen was the iPhone 6sAnd so it was. But a little earlier, the Huawei Mate S was launched already incorporating this same feature. Even so, not many phones have this technology, and it doesn't seem truly essential. However, the new Samsung Galaxy S8 might feature one. pressure sensitive display.
The curious thing is that it wouldn't be the entire screen that would be sensitive, but only a section, the one with the navigation buttonsRemember that, in order to have a larger screen and thinner bezels, Samsung will do away with physical navigation buttons. This is quite remarkable, as they have always been a defining feature of Samsung phones. To compensate for this, they will make the area of ​​the screen where the navigation bar is located pressure-sensitive, so the buttons could have multiple functions depending on the force applied to them.
According to sources within the component ecosystem, Samsung Display has perfected OLED panels capable of recognizing different levels of pressure and is manufacturing some of these modules in-house. This would not only facilitate their adoption in the Galaxy S8 but also pave the way for extending support to other models in the product line in a relatively short time, integrating it seamlessly. progressive and scalable.
On the software side, Android already has contextual shortcuts on the desktop (the so-called app shortcuts (introduced from Android 7.1 onwards), a perfect foundation for screen pressure to activate advanced menus or quick actions without cluttering the interface. In practice, a light touch could be equivalent to the usual gesture, while a medium or heavy press on the navigation bar would trigger shortcuts and pop-up menus linked to each button.
Screen sizes and frameless design
In addition to pressure sensitivity, everything suggests that Samsung will offer two sizes with very narrow bezels. A model around [the following dimensions] is being considered. 5,8 inches for the most compact option and another that would go up to approximately 6,2 inches For those seeking a larger screen size. The display would extend almost to the edge of the device and, according to leaks, could feature a curved edge. four sidesovercoming the traditional dual-edge concept and leaving more usable space for content.
This paradigm shift would entail the elimination of physical home buttonThe physical button, an iconic feature in previous generations, will disappear, freeing up screen space for the display. The home button will then become a virtual on-screen control with added functions that detect pressure levels. This decision aligns with the industry trend towards more immersive phones with fewer mechanical elements on the front.
3D Touch navigation buttons and fingerprint reader
One of the most debated points is the location of the fingerprint readerBy migrating the buttons to the panel, the brand is considering two options: integrating the sensor under the screen or moving it to the back. Reports from reputable leakers describe a rear-mounted reader, while under-panel solutions would be reserved for future iterations. Whichever decision is made, the pressure-sensitive area on the navigation bar would contribute alternative gestures to the sensor's actions, such as displaying menus, launching searches, or invoking the assistant with a sustained pressure.
Haptic touch would also gain prominence: the bar could respond with a precise vibration By recognizing different intensities, similar to what we've already seen in other ecosystems, the goal is for the user to "feel" the virtual buttons as if they were tangible, adding layers of interaction without taking up extra space.
Expected features and ecosystem
Alongside these changes, leaks point to a hardware leap: a processor from the family Exynos 9 (and Snapdragon alternative depending on the market), variants with up to 6 GB of RAM y 128 GB storage capacity, and a screen ready for very high-resolution content (UHD 4K was even mentioned in prototypes). There are also rumors of camera improvements, including dual systems in certain versions, and a new voice assistant derived from Viv's technology, with in-depth system-level functions.
In terms of accessories and user experience, compatibility with next-generation 360 cameras and a software catalog adapted to pressure-sensitive interaction are expected. This combination would make the S8 especially competitive in both productivity and... multimedia, with animations and transitions fine-tuned to take advantage of the recognition of force levels on the screen.
Not just the Samsung Galaxy S8
Finally, it's rumored that the Samsung Galaxy S8 won't be the only device to feature this technology; we'll also see it in the Galaxy Note 8. However, by the time this phone launches in the second half of the year, Samsung will have already implemented the technology across the entire screen, not just a section. We'll have to wait until September or October for that to happen. For now, the novelty will be the Samsung Galaxy S8 with its partially pressure-sensitive screen.
Industry sources speak of a phased rollout: first in the S8's navigation area, and later a full implementation in Note series models and other high-end devices, with the goal of bringing the pressure sensitivity to the entire panel. This plan aligns with Samsung Display's ability to produce its own OLEDs with this feature, and even supply them to third parties, accelerating adoption within the ecosystem.
If the indications are confirmed, the combination of a bezel-less design, optimized screen sizes, and a navigation bar with partial 3D Touch could represent one of the most tangible changes in usability of the Galaxy S8, opening up new possibilities for interaction without sacrificing space or simplicity.
