Why can't Samsung just let go?

Straying from all the Google related news I've been dumping on this blog over the last week or two, I thought I'd delve into some of those Samsung leaks that have been surfacing, mainly because a few of the purported design elements have been getting under my skin.

The elusive SIV?

I'm not one to take rumours of specs which may/may not feature on a device too seriously. I think it's all good and nice to have a look at what fans believe will be the 'killer-specs' of an upcoming device, but given the way releases of other devices have been in the past, OEMs tend not to stray too far from what is already quite common on other devices, flagship or not - it's mainly the software and design that differentiates.

When it comes to leaks however, I'm a sucker, and though for the most part I know that a large majority may be fan renders, I still admire the all the effort that one goes to, in order to fool a selection of people. As soon as a leak, or render sees itself used in a video, it's usually by then that I'm completely pulled in, which is precisely why when a leaked video 'claiming' to show the Galaxy SIV for China Unicom was released, my hopes were shattered.




Firstly, I acknowledge the word that's been going around, saying that the designs will vary between the international variants and China's, but to what extent? The video depicts what looks to be a bloated GSIII that's essentially the same as what we've been seeing from other leaks. I've maintained that it wouldn't be too much of a bad thing if Samsung stuck with this shape, and that they should avoid at all costs a rectangle - as they've forged their own design path that's almost uniquely Samsung. What I've been most thrown off with however is the thought that they could keep their existing physical home button and capacitive buttons layout.

A screenshot from the leaked video showing anupdated
TouchWiz and that hideous home button - Source: The Verge

I've personally never liked them, the home button in particular, because to me it was like a toffee apple. It was a sweetener, something familiar to Apple users, something they could press knowing instantly what its function was, and that's exactly the reason why I've not bothered with the S, and other similarly designed devices from the Korean manufacturers. Samsung's intention from the start was to develop something relatable to owners of iPhones, and that's never sat well with me. I can understand their reasoning and sure enough, there was a time when Apple dominated the mobile market, but that's no longer the case and I think it's time Samsung continued along their own path, and not obsess over the competition.

I have not an inch of doubt that the SIV will be equal to, if not a greater success than the SIII, but as far as materials and build - some things need to be left behind in order to grow. Yes Samsung, I'm also referring to the plastic - I know it's hard, but just part with a bit of it, okay?

What's you're take? Is the home + capacitive button layout still relevant, given Matias Duarte's vision for Android, or do you still prefer buttons on your device?