iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy S8: Release date, leaks, prices, specs, rumors and everything we know

This year will likely see the release of two much-awaited smartphones: Apple's iPhone 8 and Samsung's Galaxy S8. There's a lot of hype surrounding both devices: 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the iPhone and the device is rumored to receive a redesign, while the Galaxy S8 will be Samsung's first big debut after the Galaxy Note 7 recall and discontinuation.

iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy S8: Announcement and release dates

If past years are any indication, then the Galaxy S8 will be announced and released before the iPhone 8, as Samsung usually makes its announcements in early spring, while Apple typically waits for the fall. In the past, Samsung has unveiled Galaxy S devices at or around the Mobile World Congress in February or March, but according to the Wall Street Journal, the South Korean company may be pushing back the Galaxy S8's debut in light of 2016's Galaxy Note 7 battery mishap.

iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy S8: Prices and models

There's no reason to suggest that the iPhone 8 will be significantly more or less expensive than its predecessors, as Apple has kept prices similar between device launches. Keeping that in mind, the iPhone 8 models should be roughly the same as the iPhone 7 models. As for the Galaxy S8, Twitter user @Ricciolo1 claims a "little bird" told him the phone will start at $849, BGR reported.

With the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7, Apple has offered two devices that vary in size: one standard 4.7-inch smartphone and one larger 5.5-inch handset. For its next-gen iPhone, Apple is rumored to be launching three models (4.7-, 5.5- and 5.8-inch), with the largest model featuring an edge-to-edge OLED display. The Samsung Galaxy S8, on the other hand, is speculated to come in two sizes, GSM Arena reports.

iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy S8: Specs, features and details

Headphone Jack 

The Galaxy S8 will reportedly be missing a headphone jack. Apple parted ways with the iPhone's headphone jack in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and this will likely continue to be the case for the iPhone 8 models.

Home Button

The iPhone 8 will be missing more than just a headphone jack, as it is also expected to come with no home button. Instead, the home button would be integrated in the display screen. It should be noted that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus home button is not quite a button. Apple opted for a force-sensitive button instead of a mechanical one — the phone vibrates back at the user using a "taptic engine." Samsung's device will also be without a home button.

Design

Apple's iPhone redesign is rumored to feature a steel frame center that will hold together two glass panels — one for the front of the phone and one for the back. According to BGR, both the iPhone 8 and the Galaxy S8 will likely have "all-screen designs" with "minimal bezels" and displays that "occupy most of the front side."

Water Resistance 

The iPhone 8 and the Galaxy S8 will both feature IP68 water and dust resistance, Korea's the Investor reported, citing anonymous sources. This will be a step up for the iPhone, as the current model has an IP67 rating. The Galaxy S7 already has an IP68 rating. What's the difference between the two ratings? According to BGR: "IP67 means a device can stay under 1 meter of water for half an hour and come away undamaged. IP68 gives you protection in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes."

Advanced Facial Recognition

The iPhone 8 may come with a feature that uses facial recognition technology in its new device, Business Insider reported. According to Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri, the technology will be powered by "a new laser sensor and an infrared sensor mounted near the front-facing camera." Last year, Apple acquired AI firm Emotient, which has facial recognition technology that can identify facial expressions.

Digital Assistants

Siri is a household name for iPhone users, but she's about to get some competition from the Android world. The new Galaxy S device will definitely feature an artificial intelligence digital assistant service, Reuters reported, which is rumored to be called Bixby. In October, the South Korean company acquired Viv Labs, which is run by a co-creator of Apple's Siri.

S Pen Stylus

The Galaxy S8 models will support the S Pen Stylus, an optional accessory, similar to the Galaxy Note 7, BGR reported. The S Pen Stylus for the Galaxy Note 7 was water- and dust-resistant and offered a handful of fun features, CNET reported, like translation services and the ability to create animated images.

Wireless Charging

The iPhone 8 will reportedly feature wireless charging. Foxconn Technology Group is creating wireless charging units to accompany iPhones, Nikkei Asian Review reported, citing an anonymous source. "But whether the feature can eventually make it into Apple's updated devices will depend on whether Foxconn can boost the yield rate to a satisfactory level later on," the source told Nikkei Asian Review.

iPhone 8 vs. Galaxy S8 photos: What will the devices look like?

There's no official imagery, but a few mockups are circulating the internet. A hypothetical iPhone 8 design is available on YouTube.

The same designer has also shared a Galaxy S8 mockup on Twitter.