The expectations are high for the next flagship smartphone from Samsung, given the rave reviews garnered by the Galaxy S8 and S8+ upon their launch earlier this year. While it is expected that the Samsung Galaxy S9 will go bigger and bolder than its predecessor to make its mark, the handset is rumored to keep a traditional feature that other flagships have already got rid of, particularly the 3.5mm headphone jack.
The latest render leaks posted by Slashleaks revealed the cable ports on the sides of the Samsung Galaxy S9. The images show a USB-C port, which is now often used as a replacement to the 3.5mm audio socket. However, the leaks also reveal that this traditional headphone jack still remains in the Galaxy S9.
In spite of keeping this years-old feature, many users will find this as a good decision by Samsung as the reception from purely wireless smartphone design has been mixed. It appears that there are people who still prefer using wired earphones plugged in to their devices.
Tech Radar has noted of other giant tech firms such as Apple and Google ditching the 3.5mm headphone jack for the all-in-one USB-C port, which can be used for charging, audio output, and transferring of files. If the reports are true, Samsung will join OnePlus in keeping the traditional audio jack feature in place for their respective flagship smartphones. In the case of the Galaxy S9 and S9+, the South Korean handset maker could be generous in offering both the 3.5mm earphone socket and USB-C port.
Other rumored features of the Samsung Galaxy S9 include the single-lens rear-positioned camera. Samsung has already incorporated a dual camera setup with the latest Galaxy Note 8 phablet, and many users have expected the upcoming S-series smartphone to include the same camera feature. In terms of core specs, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are both speculated to have Qualcomm's Snapdragon 845 chip, the top-end mobile processor succeeding Snapdragon 835 that boasts faster performance and more efficient battery power consumption.
Regarding the launch date, it was first reported that the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ will have an earlier showcasing in 2018, which may happen at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. However, it is becoming more likely that the flagship phones will appear at a later date. If the rumors are anything to go by, the Galaxy S9 launch is now expected at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 in Barcelona this February.
