Early rumors of the Samsung Galaxy S8 alleged that the larger variant of the device, what we now know as the Galaxy S8+, may sport a dual rear camera setup, much like how Apple markets its current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Reports also mentioned that Samsung indeed experimented with the idea, but as we know from the official release of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, dual cameras never materialized.
Though, Samsung did work towards bringing the idea to fruition. Images have surfaced on Weibo (shared through Twitter) which showcases one such prototype. The device pictured is a Galaxy S8 Plus prototype with Dual Rear camera.
To reiterate, the pictured device is a prototype that obviously never saw the light of the day as a commercial unit. Samsung did not deem the device satisfactory enough to warrant the use of dual rear cameras. As The Verge claims, Samsung did not pursue the dual-camera route because "Samsung has not found real value for it".
One point to note is the complete lack of a fingerprint sensor on the device. There is nothing present where the Galaxy S8 has its offset fingerprint scanner, and there is no sensor on the front either. This could be one of those very early units where Samsung anticipated the fingerprint reader to be embedded into the screen.
If we are at liberty to speculate, maybe this could be the next Galaxy Note? A dual rear camera setup, once perfected, would be a great addition to a device line that showcases Samsung's best of the best. With the S8 and S8 Plus in their current form setting the bar very high, the Note 8 would certainly need a trick or two.
What are your thoughts on this early prototype unit? Would you have preferred if the Galaxy S8 Plus came with a dual-rear camera setup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!