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The Galaxy S8 is expected to sport an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, according to latest reports coming out of South Korea. The same source claims that the front-facing shooter will come with an autofocus actuator, a module that automatically identifies optimal focal distance for any given subject. The decision to integrate this component into the secondary camera of the Galaxy S8 is a novel concept from Samsung as it is something that’s generally found exclusively in rear-facing smartphone cameras. Samsung allegedly decided to use an “encoder type” autofocus actuator which differs from the VCM (Voice Coil Motor) technology that is comparatively more common, but also somewhat bulkier.
While the Seoul-based tech giant didn’t comment on this report, the new selfie camera featured by the Galaxy S8 is said to be able to focus more clearly on subjects that are located at a distance. However, online chatter seems to suggest that the encoder AF technology will allow camera modules to be slimmer by placing them on the side of a lens. For comparison, the VCM technology places coils in the center of an accompanying lens, which is often the reason for unseemly camera bumps seen in premium smartphones and tablets. Regarding the rear-facing primary camera featured by the Galaxy S8, early rumors had suggested a dual-sensor module, but recent reports have claimed otherwise.
Meanwhile, the official launch date of the Galaxy S8 continues to be a contentious issue. Most tipsters and media outlets now seem to believe that it will happen at some point in mid-April, with the most recent rumors suggesting that the device will be available for purchase from April 15. Some of the key hardware specs of Samsung’s upcoming Android smartphone have also been heavily debated over the past few weeks. According to most reports, the Galaxy S8 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC and the Samsung-made Exynos 8895 in some regions. While all of this sounds fairly exciting, it’s still important to remember that this information mostly comes from unverified rumors, so it will be interesting to see how much of it holds up in the end. More information is expected to surface in the coming weeks.