This year’s flagships are mostly focused on delivering the largest screen without increasing the size of the phone. Instead of having a wider device, the new screens are taller with a typical 18:9 display aspect ratio as a result of a thinner forehead and chin design.
The Galaxy S8/S8+ and Note8 are Samsung’s first attempt at an all-screen phone with its Infinity Display. Now it appears that they are bringing this big screen experience onto their next mid-range smartphones that are due in early 2018.
For the next Galaxy A series, it appears that Samsung will be featuring an 18.5:9 Infinity Display without the curve edges that are usually found on their flagship models. As shown here in a purported leak case for a Galaxy A5 (2018), the phone appears to have a flat screen design which is similar to the LG G6.
With this design, it also means that the Galaxy A for 2018 will be lacking its traditional home button and fingerprint sensor. Also seen here is a dedicated button on the left side which would be used for Samsung’s Bixby assistant.
If you’re concerned about the fingerprint sensor placement, it appears that Samsung could be doing something right for the new year. Based on this leaked render from Android Headlines, the fingerprint sensor would be placed underneath the camera and this centre position would make it easier to locate. If this is true, this approach should trickle down onto their next Galaxy S9.
On this same render, we could see two cameras at the top which could be a secondary lens for Iris scanning. The Galaxy A series is usually introduced sometime in January which is a few months before the next Galaxy S series is revealed. With an Infinity Display, we expect the next A series to cost more than this year’s models.
Other manufacturers are also jumping onto the same bandwagon. In Malaysia, we have vivo, Huawei and wiko introducing mid-range smartphones with an 18:9 display aspect ratio. It’s safe to say that 2018 would be the year of “Full View” smartphones.
