Galaxy S9: Has Samsung just revealed two new features coming to its next flagship?

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is widely-tipped to launch during the Mobile World Congress tradeshow, which will be held February 26th to March 1st 2018.

The next-generation handset is rumoured to include the same dual-camera set-up that debuted on the Galaxy Note 8 this summer.

Elsewhere, the Galaxy S9 will purportedly boast an improved facial recognition system to improve security.

Neither of these rumoured features have been confirmed.

However, Samsung has revealed some of the key components likely to feature in its next-generation flagship device, hinting at the capabilities of its upcoming hardware.

The South Korean technology company this month unveiled its all-new mobile processor, which is designed to power top-of-the-line smartphones like the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9, when they launch next year.

“The Exynos 9 Series 9810 is Samsung’s latest flagship processor, with 3rd-generation custom CPU cores, upgraded GPU, and gigabit LTE modem with industry-first 6CA support,” Samsung confirmed in a press release about its achievements at the CES 2018 Innovation Awards.

Samsung also reveals its Exynos 9 Series 9810 chipset is “built on 2nd generation 10nm process technology”.

If Samsung follows the pattern it has established with previous smartphone launches, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 8 will be powered by either Exynos or Qualcomm chips, depending on geographical region.

In the press release, Samsung quietly includes another interesting tidbit.

The technology company also unveils its Isocell SLIM 2X7 image sensor, which offers “high resolution image sensors in small chip packages, delivering detailed pictures in low-light environments without a camera bump”.

According to Samsung, “the small 0.9μm pixel size enables a 24Mp image sensor to be fitted in a thinner camera module, allowing premium smartphones to offer high resolution cameras in a very slim and elegant design.”

This could point toward a thinner design for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 8, as well as the typical camera upgrade.

Clearly, Samsung doesn’t name any specific smartphone models, so it’s possible we won’t see these innovations this year – but nevertheless, it’s our best hint yet.

Previous whispers suggest Samsung will include the dual camera set-up it debuted with the Galaxy Note 8 on its new Galaxy S handsets.

The Galaxy Note 8 uses a secondary, telephoto lens to create 2x optical zoom on your photographs.

Both rear cameras sport optical image stabilisation (OIS) to help produce clear photos – even in low-light.

Samsung also uses the dual-cameras to artificially render a DSLR-style bokeh effect behind the subject of the photograph.

Dubbed Live Focus, the feature lets you take bokeh shots to help the subject stand out. And unlike the iPhone, Samsung lets you adjust the level of background blur after the photo has been taken.

Alongside the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, Samsung is widely-tipped to launch an all-new smartphone, Galaxy X.

This new flagship will reportedly boast a foldable OLED display.

The futuristic new smartphone will purportedly fold-out to the size of a tablet, creating a whole new category of mobile device similar to the two-in-one hybrids that have taken over the laptop-tablet segment of the industry.

Samsung Galaxy X is expected to be in extremely limited supply.

Some rumours suggest the South Korean company will only release the smartphone in its native market, before rolling-out worldwide later in 2018.