Korean media The Investor reports that Samsung plans to announce the flagship smartphone Galaxy S9 earlier than expected. According to him, the device will be presented in January next year, and sales will begin in February (that is, before MWC 2018). This is evidenced by the advance in the schedule of supplies of components for the smartphone.
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So, Samsung Electronics will receive AMOLED-panels for Galaxy S9 from Samsung Display already in November, although the panel for Galaxy S8 it began to receive only in January. It is reported that the shift in the announcement of Galaxy S8 for January is caused by the desire to quickly respond to the frameless iPhone 8, which will be presented in September. We are waiting for new details about the ninth Android flagship from South Korea.

Source: TechZuma

January is a bit too early. I think releasing a new smartphone only some 7 months after a launch won't benefit they the manufacturer and we the consumers.

Firstly, The processor to be used would be most likely Snapdragon 835. Even if 845 (or another flagship processor) is released before January, it wouldn't have been tested and certified for mobile devices by then. The heating issues of Snapdragon 811 is an example of using a new and untested processor. I wouldn't want to buy a 2018 flagship using Snapdragon 835, neither would I buy a 2018 flagship that heats up like a volcano.

For us the consumers, we run a risk too. Fine, some of the people would immediately buy it when it goes out on sale, but, most of the others won't make the jump, why? they're holding on to their 7-month old Note 8 or S8 or S8+, they certainly are not prepared for an upgrade after just 7 months of buying a flagship. Samsung might be telling us they've learnt a great deal from Note 7 debacle, but, let's face it, there's still that fear and anxiety.