Ever since the announcement and release of the Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, consumers and critics alike have been talking a lot about the new feature called 3D Touch. As it stands right now, it would seem even Samsung itself is preparing something similar.

A new Samsung patent that was filed back in 2014 suggests that the South Korean giant is preparing a similar 3D Touch technology for a future smartphone, possibly the Galaxy S7. The patent is titled "Touch Input Apparatus and Electronic Device Having Thereof."

From what we have gathered from the patent, Samsung wants to use this technology to make it possible for a single key to perform different functions. We suspect going this route could eliminate the need for limiting the need for on-screen buttons, along with doing away with the added complexity.

We're guessing that, since Apple has launched its new smartphones with the 3D Touch technology baked in and is pushing it as the next big thing to consumers, Samsung may have little choice but to implement its own take on 3D Touch in the Galaxy S7. The handset is due for launch come 2016, and Samsung would likely want the device to be the best it can possibly be in the face of increasing competition.

We should point out that Apple is not the first company to launch a device with 3D Touch. Huawei did it first with the Mate S, but according to critics, the feature, called Force Touch, was too clunky and badly implemented to be useful. No doubt, Samsung will look into how Huawei applied its technology along with how Apple implemented its own to come up with something that works.

At the end of the day, 3D Touch is hot right now, and as such, it would be in Samsung's best interest to jump on the bandwagon as soon as possible. The Galaxy S7 should be the perfect starting point for the company.

Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns | Flickr