Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are expected to launch in January 2016

Samsung has reportedly started testing its new smartphones, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. The South Korean tech company has already given hints that it will move forward its new generation smartphones launch.

According to Forbes, reliable phone leaker Evan Blass has confirmed that AT&T network is already testing two new Samsung phones with the model numbers SM-G930A and SM-G935A, which are likely to be the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

The new leak suggested that Samsung might release the new smartphones in early January 2016.

Considering that the company is scheduled to announce its latest devices on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) event on January 7 2016, Samsung might use this event as a platform for the new smartphones launch.

Earlier rumors mentioned that the Galaxy S7 and its sibling will be launched on February 21, 2016, according to International Business Times.

The rumors leaked by tipster Ricciolo noting that the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016 has been scheduled in the week of February 22.

Earlier this year, Samsung announced its Galaxy S6 a day before MWC 2015 event started. Thus, the company might use the same pattern next year and announce its new devices a day before the MWC 2016.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are expected to be powered by Samsung's brand new Exynos 8 Octa 8890 processor.

According to TechTimes, the Exynos 8890 will allow the phones to deliver greater performance with higher energy efficiency. The chipset is manufactured by Samsung using 14nm FinFET technology. It means the distance between the chip's component is 14nm only.

The Exynos 8890 is 30% faster and 10% more power efficient than its predecessor the Exynos 7420 that powered Samsung Galaxy S6. The chip is also integrated with LTE Cat. 12/13 modem that supports ultra-fast data speeds up to 600 Mbps.

The new chipset is reportedly set for mass production this week by Samsung's System LSI Business Development. It is a month earlier than the expected schedule of production in December 2015.

The early production of Exynos 8890 is apparently linked to the rumour that the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge will be officially announced in January 2016.

Other specs of Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge include 12MP rear camera with Britecell sensors.

The devices will likely have 5.7 or 5.8-inch display. The phones will apparently feature a magnesium alloy body which is stronger than the aluminum series used in Galaxy S6.

Other features include USB Type-C port and ESS Technology Stereo D/A converter. The prices are expected to be 10% cheaper than Galaxy S6.