Samsung is tipped to release the next-generation version of its Galaxy A7 smartphone sometime next year. Ahead of the smartphone's unveiling, the handset's specs have been leaked online, and it was indicated that the Galaxy A7 2017 will be a lot more rugged and even bigger than its predecessor.

According to Phone Arena, a tipster has leaked information about the new Galaxy A7, saying that the smartphone will have an IP68 certification, which would be a first for Samsung's Galaxy A series. The rating means that the upcoming phone will be water-resistant, and will not be damaged in case the user accidentally drops it in water or if liquid is spilled on the phone.

The Galaxy A7 2017 is also tipped to have a 5.7-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display, an upgrade from the Galaxy A7 2016's 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 pixels.

The new smartphone is said to measure 6.20 x 3.02 x 0.30 inches, which is bulkier than the previous phone's 5.94 x 3.00 x 0.25 inches dimension. Tech fans can also expect the Galaxy A7 2017 to be a bit heavier, as the device is said to have a 3,600 mAh battery rather than last year's 2,600 mAh battery.

The phone is expected to have an Exynos 7880 processor with 3 GB of random access memory (RAM) and 32 GB internal storage, and a microSD card slot for storage expansion. As for the cameras, both the front and rear shooters are said to be 16-megapixel sensors, which is a massive improvement over the Galaxy A7 2016's 13-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front shooter.

The handset is also said to have a fingerprint scanner for added security as well as a USB-C port. As for the price, the current device retailed at around $485 upon its release, and it is likely that the Samsung Galaxy A7 2017 will be priced anywhere from $500 to $550.

Stay tuned for more news about the Samsung Galaxy A7 2017.