Samsung may be planning a Galaxy Unpacked event next month. But the electronics giant is already eyeing its next big phone release - and all signs point to the Galaxy S22 being next on Samsung's to-do list.

The latest evidence that Samsung is gearing up for next year's flagship release comes in the form of new model numbers spied by SamMobile. These numbers indicate that Samsung is developing three models for the Galaxy S22, consistent with the various configurations announced for the Galaxy S21 this spring.

Specifically, SamMobile said its sources have identified the SM-S901x, SM-S906x, and SM-S908x as the model numbers for the upcoming Galaxy S22 release. These numbers correspond to the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra, respectively. The report suggests that these names may be changed.

According to SamMobile, the model numbers also support the fact that all three S22 models are 5G-enabled. The latest Galaxy S in particular has been linked to 5G networks since the days of the Galaxy S10, and Samsung has released a separate 5G version of that phone.

The discovery of different S22 models, coupled with the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on August 11, sharply highlights Samsung's smartphone plans for the next six months, with both the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 expected to highlight that show. and Samsung has hinted that it will pause updating the Galaxy Note, at least for this year.

This means that the company's next non-folding flagship phone release will likely be three Galaxy S22 models. (The scaled-down Galaxy S21 FE is also reportedly expected to launch next month along with Samsung's foldable phones, according to some sources.)

Like last year's S21 model, the Galaxy S22 could debut in January. Major rumors surrounding the phone suggest an upgrade to faster charging and a possible partnership with Olympus Camera for the S22 Ultra; now that the model number for the S22 series is known, we may see more rumors about the first big phone launch next year.