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This might be our first look at a functional Galaxy S8 and its new on-screen buttons

Published Feb 21st, 2017 11:11AM EST

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We only have about a month to wait until Samsung takes the wraps off the Galaxy S8 series, though we probably already know everything there is to know about the handset. The Galaxy S8 will have a brand new design, complete with a new curved display that’s supposed to occupy nearly the entire front side. There won’t be a home button, and the fingerprint sensor should be found on the back of the device, next to the camera. Furthermore, the Galaxy S8 will introduce Samsung’s advanced AI voice-based assistant, Bixby, which will have its own dedicated hardware button.

What we still hadn’t seen is a functional Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus. But now a fresh leak takes care of that, revealing what the virtual on-screen home button and navigation menu might look like.

The images below come via Twitter from Ice Universe, who might be the same person who leaked similar things on Weibo in the past.

One of the photos shows what the Galaxy S8 looks like when it’s turned on. Specifically, we get to see the Apps Edge applications on the right side of the handset, but also the home menu at the bottom.

galaxy-s8-functional-phone-leak-home-buttonImage source: @UniverseIce

The design is clearly different from what you’d expect to see on an Android phone. There’s some sort of action area at the bottom of the screen that might feature various on-screen buttons to help with navigation, likely in line with what’s available on other Nougat phones. However, it appears that Samsung has further customized the navigation menu so that it fits with its new design. The back button, for example, is clearly seen on the right side of the phone.

That said, we’re still looking at leaked images that can’t be confirmed right now. They may depict a phone that looks very much like the Galaxy S8 we’ve seen in previous leaks and renders, but nothing is official until Samsung actually announces it.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.