As Samsung's Galaxy S6 is less than two weeks away from hitting retail stores on April 10, we're already getting word on the South Korean tech company's next big devices will be for 2016: the Galaxy S7 and Note 5.
It's certainly not a stretch to guess that there will be a Galaxy S7 and Note 5, but so much will be determined by the S6's sales this year after last year's S5 failed to meet expectations.
And with the S6 focusing on a scratch-built product from the ground up with an in-house Exynos processor and the first-ever all-metal body in a Samsung phone, we now know that Samsung isn't afraid to do what it takes to reinvigorate a stagnant product line.
This is where the Galaxy S7 comes in. Forget the curved display on the S6 Edge as the S7 is rumored to have a whole new level of flexibility, and the production has already begun, thanks to the first round of investors.
The expansion is inevitable because it has been announced that Samsung Electronics have requested of 8 million flexible panels per month for 'Galaxy S7'," according to an unnamed executive in contact with South Korean publication ET News. "To such response, Samsung Display said, 'We are putting all our effort in operation in A3 line. In such situation, it is illogical to delay the 2nd level investment.'"
What this means is that investments in the A3 facility have been postponed until later next month as the company is looking to expand production of the Samsung S6 Edge displays to meet initial demand.
But the publication goes on to explain that the upcoming but still unannounced Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will most likely have a flexible display as well.
"Samsung Display is promoting to expand up to producing 15,000 sheets per month in 2nd level," ET News continues. "It is because people have high demands and expectations for Galaxy S6 and scheduled to be released Galaxy Note 5, which will likely to have flexible OLED edge display."
Interestingly enough, it's also being reported that Samsung will be using a Snapdragon processor in the Note 5, even after the Snapdragon 810 caused overheating problems in the Galaxy S6 that forced Samsung to use its own Exynos chip.
Digitimes says that Qualcomm is "striving to win processor orders for Samsung's Galaxy Note 5 slated for release in the second half of 2015," according to an unidentified source. The Note 5 is also expected to adopt an Ultra HD 4K display with 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution, which would be a first for smartphones.
The Galaxy Note 5 is expected to continue the Note trend and release in September of this year, but nothing has been officially announced from Samsung yet. The Berlin-based IFA is a likely place for the announcement to be made, and right now, the event is scheduled for September 4th through the 9th.
