The mid-range Galaxy A lineup of Samsung for the coming year has not yet been confirmed, although leaked renders are starting to appear in every corner of the internet. It is speculated that the 2018 Galaxy A handsets will be the first in the series to sport some of the top-tier features from the latest flagships. However, it looks like one of the rumored mid-range smartphones, the Galaxy A7 (2018), will be repackaged with a new name.

According to the latest reports, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) will be known as the Galaxy A8+ (2018). This is based on the recently leaked photos of the said device, revealing the model number and the front display features. The leaks, which was first spotted on the Chinese social network site Weibo, indicate that the new Galaxy A8+ smartphone has the model number SM-730. The numbering suggests that the device in the leaked photo is actually the new version, Galaxy A7, although Samsung appears to give it another label.

The leaks also confirm the rumors that Samsung will incorporate the sleek design of the flagship Galaxy devices to the mid-tier A series smartphones. Particularly, the Galaxy A7 (2018) or A8+ will sport Samsung's Infinity display signature. The images show the handset having an immersive all-screen front display, with the bezels reduced to the point that they are almost non-existent. If this turns out to be correct, the Galaxy A8+ (2018) will be joining the bezel-less trend among the premium handsets this year.

As per GSMArena, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) or A8+ leaked renders show that the smartphone will have a 18:9 aspect ratio, which is slightly more conventional than the 18:5:9 screen ratio of the company's current flagship handsets, the Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8. 

Meanwhile, other rumors for the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) or A8+ suggest that the handset's fingerprint reader will be located at the middle portion of the back panel. This is due to the all-screen display that will displace all the physical buttons from the front. The recent leaked images did not reveal the rear of the device, so it is not fully certain if the Galaxy A8+ will feature the same fingerprint sensor location as the Galaxy S8.

The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) or A8+ is expected to launch this January, along with other mid-range handsets, Galaxy A5 (2018) and Galaxy A8 (2018).