The iPhone 6s is the smartphone everyone in tech is talking about these days, as Apple’s new device is about to make its official debut in stores.
At the same time, more Galaxy S7 rumors keep popping up, with a fresh report from South Korea claiming that Samsung might launch the next-gen flagship handset a lot earlier than expected.
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According to an analyst from SK Securities, a company that’s part of the SK Group that controls local carrier SK Telecom, Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S7 at some point in January and then sell it in stores in January 2016.
Korean site EToday, which talked to the unnamed analyst, makes no mention of the iPhone 6s as a reason for Samsung to push forward the Galaxy S7 launch. But this year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S6 series and the new Galaxy Note 5 earlier than expected, in March and August, respectively. The moves were meant to both help Samsung better compete against the iPhone 6 in early 2015 (the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge) and then avoid the iPhone 6s shopping frenzy (the Galaxy Note 5 and Edge 6+).
Other recent Galaxy S7 rumors indicate Samsung will have two models in stores next year, including a flat-screen model and a dual-edge design. Samsung is also rumored to be working on improving the metal alloy for the phones, and stronger glass might also be in the works for the new phones.