The heat is on between the two undoubtedly big smartphone releases of 2017, Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and Apple’s iPhone 8. According to latest gossip mill, the smartphones are also rumoured to be similar in terms of design and specs which is no surprise, as both Samsung and Apple are known to borrow features from each other in the past.

Let’s have a look at the specifications and features expected for both the Galaxy S8 and the iPhone 8.

Several generations of Galaxy S have been sporting the dual-edge curved display that has been Samsung’s signature look. Rumors suggest that the South Korean giant has some rather impressive plans for its Galaxy S8 releases, which will come in two models, one with a 5.8-inch display and another with a 6.2-inch display, which are expected to be no larger than the Galaxy S7 Edge and Galaxy Note 7 respectively. On the other hand, there are rumors that Apple will release the iPhone 8 in three models – a new 5.8-inch iPhone in addition to existing 4.7- and 5.5-inch models, which are standard for Apple.

The iPhone 8 models are expected have OLED screens, which will stretch across the entire face of the smartphone, creating a borderless appearance and larger viewable surface. Apple may also couple the new displays with larger battery capacities for better power management and overall battery life. As far as Samsung is concerned, it is known for using AMOLED displays (a version of OLED) on its devices and is also known to have considerably higher battery capacities on its devices, compared to current iPhone models.

The Galaxy S8 is expected to be available in 64GB and 128GB models, while Apple may introduce a 64GB internal storage option for the iPhone 8, according to rumors.

The iris scanning biometric technology launched in the ill-fated Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is expected to remain on the Galaxy S8, allowing users to unlock their smartphones and authenticate purchases with their eyes, instead of fingerprint scanning. Rumors suggest the iPhone 8 may come with an iris scanner, which would presumably enable iPhone users to unlock their device or use Apple Pay by authenticating with their eyes. Also, the facial recognition feature could replace Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint scanner suggests rumor.

Rumors for both the Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8 suggest the devices may release without a physical home button. Several leaks indicate that with the fingerprint scanner moved to the back panel, the Galaxy S8 may lose its home button altogether. As for Apple iPhone 8, a large number of reports have claimed that the new device will be the first not to come with a physical Home button, as Apple looks to expand the functionality of its touchscreen. Instead, users will simply touch the iPhone 8’s screen to navigate around the device, much like many existing Android smartphones. Rumors suggest that the iPhone 8 will feature an all-new ‘function area’ which will change depending on what app or service is being used.

Samsung recent models feature an IP68 water resistance rating, which means that it can be underwater for 30 minutes at depths of up to 1.5 metres, and are protected from dust, dirt and sand. In the meantime, Apple recently introduced an IP67 water resistance rating on the iPhone 7, which means it is fully protected against dust ingress and can withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes in 1 metres depth. While the Galaxy S8 is expected to continue with the same level of water resistance, rumors suggest that Apple may boost the iPhone 8 up to an IP68 rating.

Reports expect wireless charging as an obvious feature for the Galaxy S8 that was introduced on the Galaxy S6. In order to allow wireless charging support, Samsung had upgraded its device design from plastic to glass and metal on the Galaxy S6.

However, wireless charging could be new feature for the iPhone 8 if rumors are true. The iPhone 8 is expected to have a revamped glass design to allow for wireless charging support. Apple has also joined the Wireless Power Consortium, which could mean that Apple is going to add inductive wireless charging to the iPhone 8.

Several leaks have indicated the Galaxy S8 is expected to feature a USB-C port. On the other hand, the iPhone 8 too will offer a USB-C port for the power cord and other peripheral devices instead of the company’s original Lightning connector, suggests a new report from the Wall Street Journal. The rumor has yet to be confirmed.

If one goes by the rumors, Samsung may drop the “Edge” name it generally uses to denote the difference between flat and curved display models and name one of its Galaxy S8 models, the Galaxy S8 “Plus”. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are expected to release with different display sizes, and both devices are expected to be phablets. On the other hand, the iPhone 8 is also expected to come in standard and Plus models (and probably a third yet to be named model).