Samsung Galaxy S3: What to expect

03 May 2012

All the rumours about the next big Samsung Android superphone, the Galaxy S3 (S III)

Samsung is gearing it for its launch of the year, with the Galaxy S3 set to debut its slinky self on Thursday in London. Check out our full Galaxy S3 launch coverage for the latest news as it happens!

Here's your handy guide to everything we know so far. 

WHAT IS IT?

Samsung has teased us for months, dangling the new Galaxy before us like a delectable carrot before yanking it just out of reach. There hasn't been this much speculation, anticipation and leaks over a mobile outside of the iPhone, including the hoisting then hasty yanking of pre-order pages, networks scrambling to announce future availability, and of course, the mystery over what it's actually called ('the next Galaxy' is all official press releases will allow).

The teaser page for the phone launch

WHY THE HYPE?

The Galaxy S II is an incredible phone, combining a crisp, beautiful screen with powerful components and cramming it all into a light, slender package. We're sure the S3 (or SIII, or maybe New Galaxy) will be a worthy follow-up, if the rumoured 10 million pre-orders are anything to go by.

Original whisperings from weeks ago had it packing a 1.5GHz quad-core Exynor processor and a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD screen that will take on the iPhone 4S's Retina display in sharpness and pixel density. A 720x1280-pixel resolution was anticipated. We were also expecting at least a 12-megapixel camera with LED flash, and some exciting features to rival HTC's One phones. NFC support and Android Ice Cream Sandwich are pretty much a given.

Then just over a week ago, Amazon's German site made a blunder by posting Galaxy S III details prematurely. The Amazon breakdown gives the phone a 4.7-inch Super AMOLED display, as opposed to the 4.65-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen previously rumoured. The 12-megapixel camera listed here matches the one we expected, as does the Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS.

WHEN'S IT COMING?

The official launch is 3 May, so we're expecting the phone to hit stores over summer, with June being a safe bet. We'll be reporting live from the event, so check back here for full info and pics as we get them.

You can also follow us on Twitter to get our thoughts as it all kicks off!