Samsung Galaxy S7 details leak

Details of the next Samsung Galaxy handset have been leaked, according to rumours doing the rounds within the internet's tech press.

The big rumour is that Samsung's next iPhone challenger, the Galaxy S7, could take after the iPhone 6S and come with some form of pressure-sensitive '3D touch' capabilities enabled within the display.

3D touch displays allow users to access and execute different commands depending on not just where they touch the phone, but how much pressure they apply. For example, on the iPhone 6S, text messages can be read by pressing down more firmly on notifications rather than accessing the individual message stream.

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The leaks, originally reported in the Wall Street Journal, say sources "familiar with the matter" not only hint at a pressure-sensitive device, but also a high-speed charging port and possibly even a retina scanner on the next flagship Samsung phone.

The high-speed charging point will come in the form of a USB-Type C port, which will be able to charge the device fully within 30 minutes. Apple has allegedly been testing a prototype iPhone 7 which uses a USB-C after it was introduced as the only port available on the new MacBook.

The S7 will also be offered with a premium derivative using a larger curved screen measuring 5.7 inches, like the S6 Edge currently on sale.

Samsung, the world's biggest smartphone manufacturer, needs the new flagship handset to be successful after two disappointing years. 2014's Galaxy S5 flopped sales wise, and Samsung overestimated demand for this year's S6, despite being praised by critics and consumers.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is likely to be released soon. According to Techradar, it could be on sale in February. They claim it could be "one of the more costly phones on sale next year," but the Daily Mail reports that on release, the S7 could be priced 10 per cent cheaper than the current model.