Samsung Galaxy S8 may sport an Ultra HD screen - CNET

Samsung's Galaxy S8 likely won't appear until next February, but already a couple of rumors have popped up about the phone.

The next Galaxy S phone will include a 4K Ultra high-definition screen packed with a resolution of 3,840x2,160 pixels, according to Chinese tech blog site mobile.163.com. That resolution is greater than most smartphones on the market and also more than most users need on a mobile device.

But the thinking is that Samsung wants the S8 to tap into virtual reality content. From that perspective, the UHD display would deliver a smoother and higher-quality experience than is seen on many of today's phones.

Virtual reality is becoming the next big thing in the technology world. Major players such as Facebook, Samsung and Google have all been trying to capitalize on the trend. Some are selling expensive VR headsets that require a connection to a PC. Samsung offers its more budget-friendly $99 Galaxy VR, a headset you can use with certain Samsung smartphones to view VR-supported apps.

Assuming the report of a UHD display is true, a resolution of 3,840x2,160 pixels would put hefty demands on the battery. That would force Samsung to squeeze a large, high-capacity battery into the phone.