Samsung Electronics is expected to adopt the largest panels for its upcoming Galaxy S series to be unveiled in April, according to multiple news reports Wednesday. 

Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus will reportedly come with 5.7-inch (14.5-centimeter) and 6.2-inch (15.7-cm) panels, which are larger than their predecessors Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, which came with 5.1-inch (13-cm) and 5.5-inch (14-cm) screens.

The larger panels appear to be possible as the new devices will have the tiniest bezels -- the outside frame of a smartphone -- and feature more curved panels than the Galaxy S7 Edge, industry watchers said. Samsung is also expected to ditch the physical home button.

The Galaxy S8 will also have upgraded camera functions, adding a front camera with an 8-megapixel camera and autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator is especially helpful for taking selfies. This technology controls the len’s location and automatically adjusts its focus.

The new device will also have a drastic change in software, adopting an artificial intelligence assistant called Bixby, an upgraded version of its Siri-like S Voice.

The tech firm said in November it was developing AI-based voice recognition technology for the Galaxy S8 in partnership with Viv Labs, which it acquired in October. This technology will enable users to send messages and search the internet through a voice function, Samsung said.

“The AI-based smartphones will bring a significant change to user interface, by shifting the IT paradigm of touch-based research into a voice-recognition personal assistant,” said Lee Jeong, an analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities.

The Galaxy S8 will also have an iris scanner, US audio firm Harman Kardon’s stereo speaker and a fingerprint scanner built into the display, according to industry sources.

A Samsung official declined to comment on the dates and specifications of the new device.

By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)