Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ Microsoft edition with Cortana to be released on April 21

Microsoft will also release a Microsoft edition of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ in late April.

Satya Nadella-led Microsoft has partnered with Samsung to offer Microsoft Edition of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. The phone will be sold via Microsoft retail stores. (Samsung)

Redmond-based Microsoft is expected to launch its own edition of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ named Galaxy S8 Microsoft edition, with apps such as OneDrive, OneNote and Skype bundled in the phone.

The Microsoft Edition of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ is also up for pre-order and will be sold thorugh Microsoft retail stores as well.

"A Microsoft customisation is applied to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Microsoft Edition when the devices are unboxed and connected to Wi-Fi," a Microsoft spokesperson was quoted as saying to The Verge.

"This customisation ensures customers a best-in-class productivity experience with Microsoft applications such as Office, OneDrive, Cortana, Outlook and more," the spokesperson added.

Additionally, Microsoft will also bundle its own voice-assistant Cortana along with the special edition of Samsung Galaxy S8. This means that the phone will come with the option of three assistants -- Cortana, Google Assistant and Samsung's Bixby.

The Microsoft Edition of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones will be made available for purchase on April 21, Microsoft has confirmed. The Microsoft editions of the devices, when connected to the Wi-Fi for the first time, will start downloading the custom software and install them.

While regular versions of the phones will come with Microsoft Office apps, the Microsoft editions will additionally feature Cortana, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote, Bing, Groove, Skype, MSN News and more.

Specifications:

Samsung Galaxy S8

Size: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm

Weight: 155 grammes

Water/dust resistance: IP68

Display: 5.8-inch QuadHD display (2960 x 1440 pixels resolution) with 570 pixels per inch (ppi)

Storage: 64 GB internal storage with microSD card support to 256GB

Memory: 4GB RAM

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 with Exynos processor in international editions

Camera: 12-megapixel dual pixel camera with LED Flash, 8-megapixel front camera

Operating System: Android 7.0 Nougat

Battery: 3,000 mAh battery with adaptive fast charging

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, USB-C, GPS, 4G and VoLTE support

Samsung Galaxy S8+

Size: 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm

Weight: 173 grammes

Water/dust resistance: IP68

Display: 6.2-inch QuadHD display (2960 x 1440 pixels resolution) with 529 pixels per inch (ppi)

Storage: 64 GB internal storage with microSD card support to 256GB

Memory: 4GB RAM

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 with Exynos processor in international editions

Camera: 12-megapixel dual pixel camera with LED Flash, 8-megapixel front camera

Operating System: Android 7.0 Nougat

Battery: 3,500 mAh battery with adaptive fast charging

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, USB-C, GPS, 4G and VoLTE support

The picture shows the comparison in terms of specifications between the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+.

The picture shows the comparison in terms of specifications between the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+.