Rumours are circulating about the imminent global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, which is anticipated to introduce the base Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra models. These devices are expected to succeed the Galaxy S23 series unveiled in February of this year. While Samsung has not officially confirmed the launch date, speculations point towards a January 17 unveiling at an Unpacked event in the United States.
Various reports and certification site listings have provided insights into the features of the Galaxy S24 handsets, with leaked design renders adding to the anticipation. The latest revelation suggests a potential addition to the user experience, specifically a new lock screen widget for Instagram.
A screenshot shared by noted tipster Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) on X (formerly Twitter) hints at the Galaxy S24 allowing an Instagram camera shortcut directly on its lock screen. Users may encounter a pop-up dialogue box prompting them to activate the Instagram Camera shortcut upon opening the Instagram app for the first time on their Galaxy S24 devices.
It's worth noting that this shortcut is not a general feature for the entire Instagram application but is designed exclusively for the Instagram Camera. If this speculation holds true, the Galaxy S24 would join a select few Android smartphones allowing non-system apps to have lock screen widgets. The anticipated update is expected to coincide with the release of the One UI 6.1 operating system version, set to launch alongside the flagship smartphones.
Previously leaked images of Galaxy S24 dummy units have provided a glimpse into the phones' potential appearance, showing minor adjustments from the preceding Galaxy S23 models. Notable changes include rounded edges on the external metal frames of the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones, deviating from the sharp edges of their predecessors.
In terms of hardware, a recent Geekbench listing indicated that the Galaxy S24 Ultra, identified by the model number SM-S928N, might feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC paired with 12GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the base Galaxy S24 model in the Korean version is expected to house an in-house Exynos 2400 SoC with 8GB of RAM. The Galaxy S24 series is rumored to ship with the One UI 6.0 skin based on Android 14.