Samsung formally unveils its Galaxy S III device later this week, but already the blogosphere is alive with rumours that the gadget will be some sort of phone.

Literally hundreds of people have clicked on links to stories showing pictures of what is clearly a phone with the word 'Samsung' written on it and the words 'Galaxy S III' in the headline, confirming the South Korean giant's next handset will be a phone.

"I have never seen a Samsung phone before," lied one link-clicker. "I never expected it to be oblong with a big touchscreen and the maker's mark on the front. Thank goodness we have these photos to put us on the right track."

Said another: "I knew Samsung was producing a new phone - well, what else would a phone maker do? - but I'm really glad to learn that this phone looks like all the other touchscreen phones out there.

"I was worried Samsung might put 'LG' or 'HTC' or 'Motorola' or 'Sony' on the front, but these pictures, from the blurry early snaps to allegedly leaked press shots, show me that's not the case. Phew."

Many readers expressed fears that the incoming handset might look "like a TV" or "a giant pea".

One said: "All the guesswork is over. We know, as we suspected, that Samsung's new phone looks like a phone. We know almost nothing else about it, but after this week's leaks, we can say it looks like a phone.

"I'm really excited." ®