For Samsung, the next flagship to wait is that of the Galaxy Note 5 which is rumored for an earlier release date in the second half of 2015. But there are reasons to believe that it's better to hold out a bit longer for the Galaxy S7 even as the device is not expected until early 2016.
To be sure, the S7 will be better than the S6 and Note 5 combined but what exactly are the killer specs and power features that the future Samsung flagship is loaded with? Recent reports appear to indicate key details about the device - inside and out.
Game-changing camera
The Galaxy S6 snatched the smartphone camera throne from the Apple iPhone 6 Plus when it came out earlier this 2015 and Samsung is hard pressed to keep the honor as long as it can and the best candidate to come into mind is the Galaxy S7. And the S7 might just pack a better camera than what was deployed with the S6.
In fact, Tech Radar is suggesting that the S7 main shooter is likely a game-changer and that is due to Samsung's 1.0 micrometer 16MP CMOS image sensor. The South Korean tech giant boasts that this camera package is the first in the world and should be ready for mass use in time for the Galaxy S7 unpacking (but unlikely for the Galaxy Note 5 rollout later this year).
The specifications of the Samsung image sensor hints "that the individual pixels in the sensor will be huge," the report added. Implemented with the S7 camera, the system will significantly improve its ability filter in greater amount of light. Translation: production of high-quality images even in low-light environments.
Slimmer and lighter S7 profile
Experts say the Galaxy S6 is the prettiest Samsung phone ever and the likelihood is the Galaxy Note 5 will match or even exceed the S6's aesthetic achievement. But it looks likes the Galaxy S7 is destined to trounce both devices once it is unboxed.
Part of the anticipated S7 build upgrades is a thinner and lighter profile, likely making the 2016 flagship a few notches sexier than its predecessors. Thanks to the 5mm tall new Samsung camera module, Galaxy device designers can further trim down the S7 thickness, Forbes said in a report.
"The reduced (camera module) thickness would ... give handset manufacturers the opportunity to smooth out those pesky camera bumps from their designs, or perhaps to design devices with even thinner bodies while maintaining their headline 16 megapixel resolution," the publication added.
First Samsung flagship to get Android M?
As mentioned, the Note 5 is likely to touchdown sooner than thought and will have to settle for Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, meaning Android M will have to wait. How long no one can tell as Samsung normally takes a few months to adjust the Google mobile operating to its liking and preferred setting.
The next best candidate then is the Galaxy S7. Traditionally, Samsung introduces its first flagship via the annual CES trade show in Las Vegas. If the S7 pops ups at the late January 2016 event and Samsung also advances the handset's market then the chance is high that on release date the Galaxy S7 will slip out of the box all sweetened with Android M, likely the first Sammy flagship to get Android 5.2.