Samsung Galaxy S8 release date, specs: 2017 flagship device isn't going to be foldable

Samsung Galaxy S8 won't be Samsung's upcoming bendable phone after all.Reuters/Gustau Nacarino

Samsung Galaxy S8 will be the next big innovation from Samsung, but unlike previous reports, the South Korea-based tech giant won't be making it a foldable smartphone.

Sources that spoke to Bloomberg claim that the bendable screens won't be a thing for its mega popular Galaxy S devices. Instead, Samsung will be releasing two bendable handsets under a different moniker.

When folded like a "cosmetic compact," one of the models will sport a 5-inch display, which will use OLED screen technology that Samsung has been so prolific in developing. It can be as huge as 8-inches when spread out.

The rollable Samsung handset will be unveiled next year during the Mobile World Congress. It is unclear if they will be unveiled with the Samsung Galaxy S8, since the flagship is expected to be released early next year as well.

Next year's MWC will take place starting from the last week of February to the first week of March.

Samsung has started to unveil its products earlier than they did in the past. This is why the Galaxy S8's popular predecessor, Samsung Galaxy S7, was unwrapped by mid-February. It is unclear what Samsung plans for the flagship as far as release date goes, but the foldable sounds like they can carry a whole event.

"This product could be a game-changer if Samsung successfully comes up with a user interface suitable for bendable screens," IBK Securities Co. analyst Lee Seung Woo said as quoted by Bloomberg.

Samsung Galaxy S8 was rumored to be the first, fully foldable smartphone by Samsung when it introduced a rollable display making use of the company's OLED technology during the Display Week last month.

The foldable display, which was only a prototype at that time, measures 5.7 inches and is only 0.3mm thick. It boasts Full HD resolution. It is also touted to render vivid and stellar visuals.