To spite all the skeptics and spiteful critics, Samsung quickly and easily dealt with the unpleasant consequences of the launch. None of the colleagues gloated during the announcement of the Galaxy S8 +, and the fans of the brand scrupulously counted the days until the release of the novelty, as if there was no Note 7 at all. And in terms of the number of publications on the Web and a surge of interest, the new Korean flagship even eclipsed the iPhone 7. On April 21, it officially began to be sold in the USA, Canada, South Korea and Puerto Rico, and sales in Russia and Europe will start a little later. In the meantime, you can pre-order.
Walking down the street with a Galaxy S8+ in my hands, I felt a little awkward - many people came up and asked: “Wow! And how is he to you? None of Samsung's past smartphones, no Huawei with Leica lenses, and no iPhone have aroused such interest. Now, after ten days since receiving the test sample, I was finally able to sort out my feelings and summarize the impressions in the format of a review. Looking ahead, I can say that the S8 + was exceptionally good in many aspects. But still there are moments that still haunt me.
Specifications
samsung galaxy S8+ | Samsung Galaxy S7 edge | Apple iPhone 7 Plus | Huawei P10 Plus | LG G6 | |
Screen | 6.2 inches, Super AMOLED, 1440 × 2960 pixels, 529 ppi, capacitive multi-touch | 5.5 inches, Super AMOLED, 1440 × 2560 pixels, 534 ppi, capacitive multi-touch | 5.5 inches, IPS, 1920 × 1080 pixels, 401 ppi, capacitive multi-touch | 5.5 inches, IPS, 1440 × 2560 pixels, 540 ppi, capacitive multi-touch | 5.7 inches, IPS, 2880 × 1440 pixels, 564 ppi, capacitive multi-touch |
Protective glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | No data | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
CPU | Samsung Exynos 8895: eight cores (4 × M1, 2.5GHz + 4 × Cortex-A53, 1.69GHz) | Samsung Exynos 8890: eight cores (4 × M1, 2.3GHz + 4 × Cortex-A53, 1.6GHz) | Apple A10 Fusion: four cores (4 × 2.23 GHz) | HiSilicon Kirin 960: eight cores (4 × Cortex A73, 2.4GHz + 4 × Cortex A53, 1.8GHz) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 MSM8996: Quad Core (2 x Kryo 2.35GHz + 2 x Kryo 1.36GHz) |
Graphics controller | Mali-G71 MP20, 850 MHz | Mali-T880 MP12, 650 MHz | No data | Mali-G71 MP8, 800 MHz | Adreno 530, 624 MHz |
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | 3 GB | 4/6 GB | 4 GB |
Flash memory | 64 GB | 32/64/128 GB | 32/128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | 64 GB |
Connectors | 1 x USB Type-C 3.1; 1 x nano-SIM; 1 x microSD |
1 × microUSB 2.0; 1 × 3.5mm headset jack; 1 x nano-SIM; 1 x microSD |
1 × Lightning; 1 x nanoSIM |
1 x USB Type-C 2.0; 1 × 3.5mm headset jack; 1 x nano-SIM; 1 × nanoSIM/microSD (universal) |
1 x USB Type-C 2.0; 1 × 3.5mm headset jack; 1 x nano-SIM; 1 x nano-SIM |
Cellular 2G | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | |
Cellular 3G | UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz | UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz | UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz | UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz | |
Cellular 4G | LTE Cat. 16 (1024 Mbps, 150 Mbps), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20, 28 | LTE Cat. 9 (450 Mbps, 50 Mbps), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE Cat. 10 (450 Mbps, 100 Mbps), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE Cat. 12 (500 Mbps, 150 Mbps), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40 | LTE Cat. 12 (500 Mbps, 150 Mbps), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20, 28 |
WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4/5 GHz | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4/5 GHz | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4/5 GHz | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4/5 GHz | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4/5 GHz |
Bluetooth | 5 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
NFC | There is | There is | Yes (Apple Pay only) | There is | There is |
Navigation | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | |
Sensors | Light, proximity, accelerometer / gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass), Hall sensor | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | ||
The fingerprint scanner | Yes, behind | Yes, front | Yes, front | Yes, front | Yes, behind |
Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.7, phase detection autofocus, optical stabilization, LED flash | 12 MP, f/1.8, autofocus, quad LED flash, OIS | 20 + 12 MP, f / 1.8, phase and laser autofocus, optical stabilization, dual LED flash | 13 MP, ƒ/1.8 + 13 MP, ƒ/2.4, phase detection autofocus, OIS, dual LED flash | |
Front-camera | 5 MP, f/1.7, no autofocus, no separate flash | 7 MP, no separate flash | 8 MP, f/1.7, autofocus, no separate flash | 5 MP, f/1.8, autofocus, no separate flash | |
Food | Non-removable battery: 13.3 Wh (3500 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 13.68 Wh (3600 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 11.1 Wh (2900 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 14.25 Wh (3750 mAh, 3.8 V) | 12.54 Wh non-removable battery (3300 mAh, 3.8 V) |
The size | 159.5×73.4×8.1mm | 150.9×72.6×7.7mm | 158.2×77.9×7.3mm | 153.5×74.2×7mm | 148.9×71.9×7.9mm |
Weight | 173 g | 157 g | 158 g | 165 g | 163 g |
Water and dust protection | Yes, IP68 standard | Yes, IP68 standard | Yes, IP67 standard | Splash proof, standard not specified | Yes, IP68 standard |
Operating system | Android 7.0 Nougat, Grace UX skin | Android 6.1 Nougat, TouchWiz shell | iOS 10 | Android 7.0 Nougat, EMUI 5.1 shell | Android 7.0 Nougat, LG UX skin |
Current price | 59 990 rubles | 49 990 rubles | 67 990 rubles | 39 990 rubles | 52 000 rubles |
Design and ergonomics
Samsung has moved away from the division of flagship smartphones into classic and edge, so the choice between the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 + comes down to choosing a screen diagonal - 5.8 or 6.2 inches, respectively. The difference in linear dimensions is only 1 cm in height and 0.5 cm in width. In this situation, the choice of a larger diagonal seems to me more logical. Samsung, by the way, also notes a higher demand for pre-orders specifically for the Galaxy S8 +.
The smartphone is available in five colors: black (Midnight Black), gray (Orchid Gray), silver (Arctic Silver), blue (Coral Blue) and rose gold (Maple Gold). Based on the results of the first acquaintance in New York, my personal favorite was the blue device, but in Moscow I got a black one for the test. The front panel, or rather the narrow strip that remains of it, will be black in all cases. First, it's beautiful. And secondly, this technique visually reduces the already thin frame. It remains metal, runs a three-millimeter strip on the sides and completely occupies the upper and lower faces. The back panel is covered with curved tempered glass, and in combination with the curved edges of the screen, this creates a very harmonious and beautiful symmetry. But this is not the first time for Samsung - last year Galaxy Note 7 boasted a similar design.
Increasing the screen diagonal while maintaining a comfortable width of the case became possible only after changing the aspect ratio of the display. Instead of the usual 16:9 in the Galaxy S8 and S8 +, it is 18.5:9. Before Samsung, LG made a similar initiative by releasing a flagship smartphone with an aspect ratio of 18:9 (2:1). And after Samsung, something similar should be presented by Apple. There are no other options for enlarging screens without turning smartphones into ceiling lamps (or smartshets?).
It's funny that the Galaxy S8 + steps on the same rake as the two previous generations of flagships - its body is entirely glossy, so in real life it loses its original appearance in half an hour, covered with greasy fingerprints. Samsung does not deny at all - it is important for the company that the device sparkles and shines in the window. With a matte body, it would look less seductive. There is an oleophobic coating not only on the screen, but also on the rear glass, but it practically does not save. And yet you don’t want to hide your smartphone in a case or a silicone bumper - it’s too good looking. So it is better to choose a blue or silver model, where fingerprints will not be so noticeable, and then wipe it regularly.
Samsung did not abandon the mini-jack (following the example of Apple, HTC and Xiaomi), it is located on the bottom, next to the USB-C port and the system speaker. All these elements do without plugs and are not afraid of moisture getting inside. The smartphone itself is protected according to the IP68 standard and can withstand half an hour immersion in fresh water to a depth of one and a half meters. Indeed, connect Charger or headphones immediately after water procedures are not recommended. At the top end there is a slot for a SIM card and a microSD memory card.
On the sides of the Galaxy S8 + are the power button (on the right), a double key for adjusting the volume (on the left), and a new button for calling a smart assistant called Bixby. True, this function was not active in any of the test samples of a smartphone in Russia. So, probably, we will have to return to this topic in future materials.
In front, above the screen, a voice speaker is visible, and on the sides of it there are several cameras and sensors at once, which would be good to understand. On the right is the front camera and an auxiliary sensor for recognizing the iris. On the left - the main sensor of the iris scanner and barely noticeable "windows" of the proximity and light sensors.
There are no hardware buttons left on the front panel of the Galaxy S8 +, they are now all on the screen. And the central button is always active, even when its icon is not displayed. Moreover, Samsung managed to implement a feedback function in the style of the iPhone 7. But the iPhone has only one button, and the Galaxy S8 has three, but only the central one has a return.
Interface and usage features
Fingerprint sensor, face recognition and iris scanner can be used at the same time. Rather, none of these options cancels the other. You can unlock your smartphone with your finger in any state, even if the screen is off. Facial recognition starts working only after you press the power button. Well, to activate the iris scanner, you also need to swipe your finger across the screen for traditional unlocking. In the same place, by the way, it will be possible to enter a password or pattern.
Samsung has done a great job of making this effortless, but despite all the bells and whistles, the quickest and most convenient way to unlock is still the good old-fashioned fingerprint scanner. However, in the case of the Galaxy S8 and S8 +, everything spoils its location. Many - for example, Huawei, ASUS, LG - place this element at the back, but it never occurred to any of them to place the sensor next to the camera lens, and not even in the center, but on the right. The finger intuitively gets right into the lens and only then, after a fraction of a second, gropes for the desired surface to the right of it. Another unpleasant feature is revealed when the smartphone falls into the hands of a left-hander - the index finger of the left hand has to be unnaturally bent, and reaching the sensor with the middle finger can only be done at great risk of dropping the phone. An unnamed $100 smartphone could get away with it, but it's very unusual to see such shortcomings in a Samsung flagship.
Key Features
If you somehow managed to make it to the end of April without knowing anything about the new Samsung smartphones, then here are the dry facts. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ outwardly resemble their predecessors in many ways, but the screens are "stretched" in length (18:9 or 2:1 aspect ratio instead of the usual 16:9), occupying almost the entire front panel of the device. The use of flexible OLED panels has made it possible to create a smartphone with a record narrow bezels: the user gets the impression that he is just holding a large screen in his hand.
Smartphone cases are not very thin (8 and 8.1 mm), but record narrow for their screen size. For example, the width of the Galaxy S8 equipped with a 5.7-inch display is 68.1 mm. That's 1.5mm smaller than the 5.15-inch Galaxy S7 and just 1mm larger than the smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 7. In the case of the Galaxy S8 +, a 6.2-inch screen fits into a 73.4 mm wide case (which is about the same as last year's 5.3-inch LG G5). The mechanical home button and the fingerprint scanner on the front panel no longer fit - the button is now virtual, and the scanner is located atypically, to the right of the main camera lens.
Smartphones have the most modern electronic filling: 4 GB random access memory, 64 GB built-in storage and an 8-core 64-bit processor (in devices for the Russian market, this is Samsung Exynos 8895). The battery capacity of the S8 is the same as that of the S7 - 3000 mAh, while the S8 + has 3500, that is, 100 less than last year's S7 edge. The main cameras are the same, 12-megapixel, but Samsung has improved the image-forming algorithms. The front cameras are 8 megapixels and are equipped with an autofocus system that guarantees greater image clarity.
It is unlikely that anyone would have imagined that Samsung's new products would suddenly "slow down", take muddy photos or turn out to be of poor quality - the leader of the global smartphone market does not allow himself this. However, after the presentation of the Galaxy S8 / S8 +, there were a lot of questions that could only be answered based on the test results. Here are the main ones:
A narrow body and a large screen are great, but how did moving the fingerprint scanner and ditching the mechanical home key affect usability?
If the rear fingerprint scanner is inconvenient, can you rely on face or iris recognition to unlock your phone?
Is the battery too small for the new powerful processor and large ultra-clear (QuadHD +) screens?
What innovations will please the Koreans in terms of interface and software?
Is it sure it won't explode?
total screen
Journalists preparing reviews of Samsung's new products are absolutely delighted with the new large screens. "The QuadHD SuperAMOLED screen is incredibly rich and crisp, and it's also very bright, even outdoors in direct sunlight. It's no exaggeration to say that this is the best smartphone display I've ever seen," writes The Senior Editor in his review. Verge Dan Sifert. At the same time, he notes that, despite the narrow frames, the smartphone has never registered erroneous clicks when touching the edges of the screen with the palm of your hand. The Verge journalist is confused by only one thing: you have to stretch your fingers too far to the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel.
Read also:
There is another problem with the screen of non-standard proportions: not all applications work correctly with it yet. Some programs and games automatically adjust to take up the entire display area, but not all: many leave black bars around the edges, notes Mashable editor Lance Ulanoff in his review of the Samsung Galaxy S8. Seifert points out the same problem: "A number of popular apps like Pocket, Netflix, Speedtest, Dark Sky, and Spotify don't automatically stretch to fill the screen, leaving black boxes at the top and bottom."
The first users of the Samsung Galaxy S8 did not face another problem, but the first users of the Samsung Galaxy S8 - in South Korea, the company has been delivering smartphones for pre-orders for several days. Many complain that the white color on the display has a reddish tint. As it turned out, the point is in the system of adaptive settings applied by Samsung. Company representatives, commenting on user complaints for ZDNet, recommended that those who do not like the white shade displayed by the smartphone use manual color balance adjustment.
The history of biometrics
All previous models of Samsung smartphones equipped with a fingerprint scanner have it built into the mechanical home button below the screen. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ don't have a button. The pain of parting with it should be mitigated by a pressure sensor and a vibration motor simulating a click - they come into play when the user presses the on-screen "home" button with force or, if it is not visible (for example, when watching a video), to the place where it is must be. "The virtual home button provides some tactile feedback when pressed, but it's not as convincing as the implementation of the same idea in the iPhone 7," notes Wired reviewer Mark Walton.
What is wrong with the location of the fingerprint scanner on the rear panel to the right of the camera, 9to5google columnist Ben Sean explains, most of his colleagues write about the same. Firstly, the camera lens gets dirty all the time - and Samsung even built a reminder function in the Camera app to wipe the lens. Moreover, if the user has not added fingerprints to the smartphone, reminders do not appear.
Secondly, the sensor is too high, making it difficult for users with normal-length fingers to reach it, even on the more compact Galaxy S8. Sean also complains that the initial papillary scan is very slow, and during use, the small size of the sensor hinders efficient and fast scanning.
Read also:
But the Galaxy S8 has two more biometric authentication methods in store - face recognition and iris scanning - so what about those? Here the opinions of journalists differed. For example, Lance Ulanoff believes that iris scanning works better on the Galaxy S8 than on the Note7 and only glitches in low light. But the managing editor of The Verge, veteran IT journalism Walt Mossberg did not like any of the biometric features available on the Galaxy S8.
“The Galaxy S8 had the most unreliable, most annoying biometric security features I’ve ever tested… Face recognition, in addition to being less secure, according to Samsung, almost never worked for me. The same is true for a safer method, the iris scan, which was slow in those rare cases when it did work," Mossberg criticizes Samsung's new product.
Perhaps the journalist simply did not understand that for the successful operation of this function, it is necessary to literally make faces, opening your eyes as wide as possible. Engadget columnist Chris Velasco demonstrates how to do it right:
Most reviewers note that due to the imperfectly implemented biometric authentication functions, they had to enter a PIN code in desperation much more often than with other smartphones. In addition, for example, this is the only way to quickly unlock the device without taking it in hand when it lies on a table or bedside table.
Battery: smaller is better, but safer
The Galaxy S8 and S8 + have new, more powerful processors and larger screens compared to last year's Samsung flagships, but the battery capacity in the case of the compact version remained the same (3000 mAh), and in the Galaxy S8 + it even dropped from 3600 to 3500 mAh *h. Most reviewers note that the battery lasted for a day with a margin of normal use - at least in the case of the Galaxy S8 +. Only Dan Sifert from The Verge calls autonomy "average", the rest of the journalists were quite satisfied with the battery capacity.
"In our standard video playback test, we looped an HD video and played it at 50 percent brightness with Wi-Fi on. The compact Galaxy S8 lasted 13 hours and 27 minutes in this mode until the battery was completely drained - a little longer than the Galaxy S7 or Google Pixel, but the Galaxy S8+ with its 3500 mAh battery came out as a clear winner, playing video for 15 hours and 8 minutes - longer than the Pixel XL, Galaxy Note 7 or Moto Z Force, "writes Chris in his review for Engadget Velasco. He, however, does not specify what screen resolution was set during testing.
The point is that in order to extend the time battery life Samsung decided to play a little trick. "The maximum screen resolution is 2960 x 1440 pixels (QuadHD +), but the default is 2220 x 1080 (FullHD +), and if desired, it can be reduced to 1480 x 720 (HD +) - the reason is that if you put up with a lower resolution, battery life will be longer," explains Chris Davis of SlashGear.
Most importantly, the batteries don't seem to explode. Although the opened Galaxy S8. “Samsung Galaxy S8+ battery voltage, capacity and design tolerances are almost identical to Note7,” iFixit said. “The battery for our device was even supplied by the same manufacturer that supplied batteries for some Note7 models.” So, the Galaxy S8 + battery capacity is 3500 mAh, the voltage is 3.85 V (13.48 watt-hours), or exactly like the infamous Samsung phablet. "The design surrounding the battery - its installation location, distance and frame - is very, very similar to Note7," the experts added. However, there is no reason to fear fires - after the scandal that happened with the Note 7, Samsung tested the batteries of new products as carefully as no other manufacturer has probably ever tested them.
What is it, Bixby?
The “assistant” application in the Samsung Galaxy S8, although it received a name like that of an English butler, is not yet able to answer such a question “Oatmeal, sir” - they did not manage to complete its voice functions by the start of sales of new flagships. Nevertheless, the company clearly considers the new "assistant" an important weapon in the competition. “Bixby is so important to the Galaxy S8 ecosystem that it even got a dedicated mechanical button on the smartphone… But for now, it’s scattered all over the phone. Swipe to the right from the home screen (or press a dedicated button) brings up the Bixby Home screen – a copy of Google Now with recommendation cards , including upcoming events, recent photos, social media updates, news, and more,” says Ulanoff.
The camera also has Bixby Vision for identifying objects, searching for products, and capturing and recognizing text from a photo. According to the Mashable reviewer, the function works correctly about 60 percent of the time. "I'm completely unimpressed with Bixby - at least at the moment," states Walt Mossberg.
As for the previously rather clumsy and not too beautiful TouchWiz interface, to its new version almost no one has any complaints about the Galaxy S8. Of course, reviewers are not happy with the fact that for many tasks on a smartphone two applications are preinstalled (from Google and from Samsung), for example, for working with mail, a calendar, but in general software satisfied. "TouchWiz has finally matured," writes Engadget's Chris Velasco. And very noticeable. Look at the Galaxy S7 interface: it's full of flashy icons and other brightly colored elements. On the Galaxy S8, the interface, on the contrary, is unobtrusive and thoughtful in terms of design.
conclusions
"They're not perfect," warns prospective Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners Dan Sifert of The Verge. "A few things might make you think twice before buying, like the awfully placed fingerprint scanner or average battery life. But the downsides, as noticeable as they are, more than offset by advancements like a large and towering screen and a camera you can rely on."
The Engadget reviewer agrees with his colleague. "The Galaxy S8 and S8+ aren't perfect, but Samsung has never come close to perfect," says Chris Velasco. performance, but also feel like a device built around our preferences and niggles.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm, weight - 155 grams;
- Display: 5.8-inch WQHD + (2960 × 1440), 579ppi, 18.5:9, matrix - Super AMOLED;
- Processor: Exynos 9 Octa 8895, 8 cores, 10 nm;
- Video accelerator: Mali-G71;
- RAM: 4 GB;
- ROM: 64 GB + microSD slot up to 256 GB;
- Main camera: 12 MP, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, OIS, f/1.7, 4K video recording;
- Front camera: 8 MP, f/1.7, 1/3.6″, 1.22µm;
- Battery: 3000 mAh;
- Other: USB Type-C; microSD slot, fingerprint scanner, iris scanner, ip68 case protection.
Design and ergonomics
Let's be honest - this is the most beautiful smartphone on the market. Everyone is talking about it and this is most likely the first time. You will find very little, if any, feedback that the design failed. No, it's chic and causes a wow effect.
After the S5, each successive generation only got better. The sixth generation has changed completely: "Samsungs" have ceased to be remnants and have become more premium in appearance and tactility. "Seven" stepped even further and added practicality. Now we actually have a work of art - S8. This is not a perfect smartphone, it has its jambs and I will tell you about them, but if we are talking about first impressions, they are chic. The smartphone looks modern, technologically advanced, and premium, all at the same time.
The case is made of glass (on both sides Gorilla Glass 5) and metal. As before, the quality and assembly are perfect. That is, there is nothing to complain about - it does not spin, waterproof and pleasant to the touch.
The elements are more or less standard, but I will note some points. The bottom is now USB Type-C. 3.5mm headphone jack is in place, for which many thanks. During a flight to the States, I felt pain with the iPhone 7 Plus when I was watching movies through Lightning headphones and the smartphone ran out of power. How to charge it and watch a movie? Wireless only. I also had such headphones, but, by the way, even in this regard, Samsung went further. S8 is the first smartphone with Bluetooth 5.0, which means not only increased data transfer speed, but also the ability to simultaneously connect two BT devices (two headphones, two speakers). Moreover, you can control the volume of each separately. It's very cool, for example, you can watch a movie together and not bother anyone.
But what still annoys me is the location of some holes on the edges. Well, I can’t put up with the location of USB Type-C off-center. But even worse is that all the other holes from the bottom are not located on the same line.
It seems to be a trifle, but if we are talking about the most beautiful phone, these little things are worth paying attention to. I understand that in order to align these elements, it would be necessary to design a different placement of everything on the board, but damn, you designed thin frames! By the way, the hole of the second microphone from above is also displaced.
The scanner located at the back, as expected, is inconvenient. I use my phone all the time and can't say I'm used to it. On the contrary, I have developed a habit of looking at the back of the smartphone before unlocking, in order to put my finger in the right place. Otherwise, I constantly paw the camera. Why was the scanner not made under the camera, like everyone else?
I am glad at least that the scanner works quickly and immediately unlocks the smartphone, no need to press anything. And you can also hang a gesture for lowering the curtain with notifications on it, as on “pixels”.
You will say that you can use the improved face recognition feature to avoid constantly reaching for the scanner, but this is just a toy, because you can unlock the screen with just your photo. I tried it myself - it really works. And the smartphone itself warns that even a person just like you will fit. This is an unreliable method of protection.
Saves the iris scanner, but face unlock does not work with it. And on the iris, unlocking is rather slow and not always the first time. To launch the iris scanner, you need to press the lock key and swipe across the screen, which is already a long time, and then also keep the device at a certain distance and get into circles with your eyes.
If protection is important to you, but you don’t store codes from the red button on it, then I wouldn’t worry, everything works quickly in the face. And what you still need to hide can be hidden in a secure folder, to access which you will need to enter a password. True, face unlock does not work in the dark, but there is a scanner on the back. In short, there is a choice.
Small frames on all sides are, of course, very beautiful, but is it convenient? Not really - I can only use a smartphone in a case. I am glad that there are many branded ones, and there will be even more third-party ones for any requests.
The fact is that without a case, I constantly touch something on the screen. It’s hard to watch even videos on youtube, because there’s nothing to take a smartphone for, because there is also little space above and below.
Of course, I understand that framelessness is the future and Samsung is great. It is possible that algorithms will soon appear that will recognize and ignore accidental touches of edges, but now it is unusual.
I also don’t quite understand the lack of stereo speakers in the flagship in 2017. This is a disadvantage, because although one speaker is of high quality, you cover it every now and then.
There are no keys below the display. This is good. I was very annoyed by the touch buttons "back" and the multitasking menu, because they constantly interfered. Now all the keys are on-screen and hide when not needed, freeing up more free space. The home key is now also virtual, but they came up with an elegant solution for it. It is visible even on the locked screen, thanks to the Super AMOLED display and Always On Display. And it responds to pressing, not to touch. When pressed, you feel a vibration that mimics pressing a button. Not a taptic engine, but not everyone likes it either, so in general they came up with a very good implementation. By the way, such a click works in any menu and application, even when the button itself is visually hidden.
Another of the changes I will note a new mechanical key on the left side, it is responsible for calling the Bixby voice assistant, which I will talk about a little later. Otherwise, everything is simple: on the right is a lock key, on top is a tray for a SIM card and a memory card, as well as a second microphone.
Display
The screen is the main part of any smartphone, but here it has a special meaning. It is because of him that the S8 creates this very wow effect. It occupies 83.6% of the front surface, although it seems that all 95. The remaining almost 16-plus percent are frames, although minimal: 6 mm from the bottom and 7 mm from the top. Everything was placed on them: a camera, an iris scanner, sensors, and a speaker. The only thing removed is the Samsung logo. We will mourn for him (no).
There are side frames, but very thin, due to the curved edges of the display.
The proportions have changed, now they are 18.5:9, and the resolution is 2960x1440 pixels. That is, it is stretched upwards, due to which the diagonal of the smaller model is 5.8”, and the plus version is 6.2”. But don't think it's a phablet, the entire S8 is less than a 5.5" display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. So the display is narrow and tall, and its area is comparable to the S7 and S7 Edge. Comparing the diagonals here is not entirely correct, because the ratios are different. If you make a smartphone generally narrow and high, the diagonal will still be large.
There seems to be no problem with optimizing the software, because in the settings you can choose which applications you want to automatically optimize to a wide format.
As before, the matrix is Super AMOLED, there is support for the HDR 10 standard for viewing Amazon Prime, for example. In general, I can call the screen the best one on the market. It is very beautiful, energy efficient and with its unique features, like AOD. In the settings, you can change the color scheme, turn on the night mode, and change the displayed resolution: from HD+ to WQHD+.
This does not affect the quality, you do not see, at least, but it saves the battery. I think the setting itself is needed only for VR, so they could make it automatic. You still wouldn't notice.
cameras
The main camera has not actually changed - the same 12.2 MP, aperture 1.7, the same matrix. The quality remained exactly the same, that is, very good, but, you see, we were expecting more. Until recently, I hoped that there would be a second camera, but no. Only the autofocus has changed, it has become similar to the Kenon Dual Pixel. Video is recorded in 4K with optical stabilization, and at any lower resolution, software is also connected. Therefore, the picture is very stable.
But the front camera has grown: 8 MP, video writes in 2K, there is software stabilization. But the main thing is that it has autofocus.
I liked the camera app, it's not overloaded, at least it doesn't feel that way. Everything is functional, access to most functions is carried out by swipe.
Examples of photos on the main camera
Examples of photos on the front camera
Video examples
bixby
Bixby is Samsung's new voice assistant. I’m sure they won’t kill him, like on S-Voice, because the strategy is already visible here, and not a banal race for the presence of something that speaks in smartphones. Bixby developers created Siri and sold it to Apple. And now Samsung has bought this company and they are creating a new generation of assistant. The seriousness of intentions is emphasized at least by the fact that a separate (!) mechanical key is allocated for Bixby on the smartphone case, which cannot be reassigned (!). So far, the assistant only supports English and Korean.
The button is located on the left side, under the volume rocker, and it's not entirely clear to me. No matter how cool the assistant is, but a separate button for him is somehow too much. Moreover, my considerations are extremely practical - this key is constantly pressed, from which the smartphone turns on. And the button itself is very personal. If only other functions could be assigned to it. But no, only Bixby, which still does not work fully with us. The Russian language is not supported, and the assistant itself looks like a toy today. Cool chips are announced - deep contextual understanding, as well as object recognition in the camera. For example, I saw something, pointed it and immediately ordered it on Amazon. Yes, it just works so far poorly and recognizes at best the type of object: bicycle, slippers, watch. It is still difficult with specific models. However, as I said when getting to know the smartphone, Bixby is the brainchild of the creators of Siri, so let's wait and see.
will start selling the latest flagships Galaxy S8 and S8 +, which at first glance were impressive only with a new display proportion and, as a result, smaller dimensions with huge screens. The display is important, but besides this indicator, there are many other aspects that affect the perception of the device, and the matrix almost covers the entire front panel - is it convenient? the site got acquainted with a more compact modification of the flagship, the Galaxy S8, and figured out what the manufacturer did well, and where there is still work to be done.
Specifications Samsung Galaxy S8
- screen: Super AMOLED, 5.8 inches, resolution 2960 × 1440 pixels
- platform: 8-core Exynos 9 Octa 8895
- RAM: 4 GB, ROM: 64 GB (+ microSD)
- Main camera: 12 MP, f/1.7, front camera: 8 MP, f/1.7
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, GPS (A-GPS support), GLONASS
- battery: 3000 mAh
- fingerprint scanner, iris scanner, accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor, IP68 protection
- dimensions: 148.9 × 68.1 × 8.0 mm, weight: 155 g
- OS: Android 7.0 Nougat
Appearance
The Samsung Galaxy S8 was the development of the design ideas of the Galaxy S6 edge and S7 edge, and also absorbed the best features of Note7: a metal frame around the perimeter, the standard arrangement of all controls, the glass front and back is curved closer to the ends, while the bend turned out to be symmetrical. The black version of the device offers an almost perfect match to the color of both the metal and the glass substrate, even the glossy effect is the same at a cursory acquaintance.
Samsung Galaxy S8
The device looks spectacular, besides, there is no manufacturer's logo on the front panel - this immediately makes the smartphone more pleasant for aesthetes, and also makes it clear that the manufacturer has found the design that consumers can unmistakably recognize even without a nameplate. The premium is visible and felt, which is important for a smartphone priced at UAH 25,000.
For the first time, Samsung's new generation of flagship smartphones only exist in a curved display version, raising usability concerns among people who have complained about false taps on the S7 edge. The novelty offers a less radical bend, which not only almost completely eliminated erroneous operation, but also made the device more convenient.
The width and thickness of the device follow the flat Galaxy S7 with a 5.1-inch display, which makes it convenient to use the smartphone with one hand, despite the much larger screen. In fact, it is necessary to intercept the device, but very rarely: such a need arose due to the new proportion and large diagonal, albeit in a compact case.
Display
Samsung Galaxy S8 received a 5.8-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18.5: 9, that is, it has become more elongated. The actual screen area was 85.38 sq. cm, or almost the same as the usual 5.5-inch screens (83.39 sq. cm). The screen resolution is 2960x1440 pixels, but in the default settings the 2220x1080 mode is active, which eats up a little less energy and is still clear enough not to notice the difference. The third option with minimal consumption includes 1480x720 pixels, but in this mode the fonts become soapy.
The image quality is excellent: the picture is clear and juicy, the black color is as deep as you can imagine, the white color is also accurately transmitted. The picture is perceived a little nicer than on the Galaxy S7 edge, although it is possible that this is facilitated by the form factor in which almost the entire front panel is a solid screen.
The saturation of colors is slightly overstated, but in the settings it can be lowered to the level of good IPS matrices if you want to achieve more natural colors. At the same time, most users are unlikely to have to do this, since the initially embellished reality looks more attractive. It is allowed to correct colors not only for several standard modes, but also move the red, green, and blue sliders.
The brightness levels are excellent, both at a minimum that almost turns off the backlight, and at a powerful maximum, at which even the strong sun is not able to distort the image. When tilted even at small angles, the screen turns slightly red, and redness is constantly present on the edges, but this is noticeable only on a white background, besides, we had a pre-sale sample.
In the final versions of smartphones, the already not very noticeable redness will be even less, if it does not disappear in principle, but when buying, you should still pay attention to this feature and the degree of its manifestation in a particular instance.
New aspect ratio
The new geometry (18.5:9 instead of 16:9) has resulted in many programs appearing with black bars at the top and bottom. However, there is a programmatic way to stretch them, highlighted by an additional menu in Settings.
A short test in two dozen programs with graphics and texts, as well as in games, showed stable operation of program stretching. The shell automatically activates it for optimized programs and games (for example, Asphalt 8), but in most cases you will have to go to a separate menu and enable the setting for each application separately. By an incomprehensible reason samsung does not allow you to do this automatically for any software.
Most programs stretch correctly, this applies to both social networks and instant messengers, and games. I was pleased that not only actual projects with support (Modern Combat 5), but also forgotten ports of classics like Grand Theft Auto 3 are precisely adjusted to the new aspect ratio. other elements slightly go beyond the edge of the display - apparently, software stretching scales fixed elements in width and aligns in height.
Movies with 21:9 aspect ratio look great:
Interestingly, third-party software even in its unfinished form looks great with the new ratio, but the universal clipboard (one of the functions of the curved edge) shows screenshot thumbnails in the wrong ratio and stretches them in width.
In practice, this does not interfere, because the correct pictures remain in the memory, but it looks strange. Surely, this oversight will be corrected in the next update just in time for the start of sales or in the first weeks after the device enters the market.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S8 will go on sale in Ukraine in a version with a proprietary Exynos 8895 processor, which was developed using a 10-nm process technology. In theory, this will provide low heating. At the same time, there is a lot of power in it, as benchmarks say:
All games run remarkably: smoothly, quickly, with a stable frame rate. The shell is also smooth, as is the application software. Rare slowdowns can be found only in two cases: during the initial setup of the device and the active installation of three dozen programs (all smartphones slow down under these conditions), as well as when swiping on a non-zero screen where Bixby lives. And if the user encounters the first one only once, the second condition is likely to be resolved in the future, when Bixby will constantly work in the background, as it happens with Google Now.
The device works equally smoothly both at full display resolution and in Full HD mode, which is active by default. The difference in the speed of work, if present, is not noticeable at all.
Excellent performance is to be expected from a top-end device, but Samsung was able to surprise us in terms of heating as well. Network battles for 40 minutes practically do not heat up the device, it becomes barely warm. Only radio modules managed to warm up the case on a long trip, where communication constantly appeared and disappeared, however, even in such a situation it was not necessary to intercept the device. Low heating ensured stable autonomy under almost any load.
autonomy
The Samsung Galaxy S8 received a 3000 mAh battery, which provides autonomy typical for most flagships - about 5 hours of active display with 20 hours of standby time. The workloads, as befits a typical device, were high: 30 minutes of YouTube video, 20 minutes of 3D games, two social network clients and three instant messengers with constant correspondence and many push notifications, four mailboxes, two dozen other useful programs.
True, unlike almost all competitors, such indicators are achieved with the active mode “Always on display”.
Without it, it usually ends up being 40 minutes more screen time, but what's the point of not using one of the key features flagship?
The display resolution (2220 × 1080 or 2960x1440 pixels) does not affect autonomy much - with the first smartphone, it provided 20-30 minutes more screen work
The device supports fast charging over the wire, in addition, inductive charging is also accelerated: it delivers up to 2.4 A, which is noticeably more than the standard 1.5 A for the Qi standard. This charger is not included, but it is available if you pre-order it from official sellers.
Since the connector has changed to USB Type-C in the Samsung Galaxy S8, new features have appeared that will be revealed to the maximum with the DeX docking station, but some pleasant moments can be seen without it, including when connecting the device to another device, you can select, charge from it or, conversely, give power.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S8 received the same main camera as last year's Galaxy S7/S7 edge: 12 MP, f/1.7, lens sandwich. The company said that it has improved the processing algorithms, which usually means "the changes will be almost invisible", but not in the case of the new Samsung flagship.
First, about the bad - the algorithms still overestimate the sharpness, which makes it feel like objects at an average distance were added in a graphics editor, and also because of which it is a little more difficult to estimate the true distance to the textured object. The device also wiggles white balance on out-of-focus objects, usually making them bluer than they really are.
The mentioned effects are weaker than in the cameras of the previous generation, and if color errors are really frustrating, high sharpness has finally become an advantage - paired with an excellent color gamut, the camera manages to show even the smallest details of what is shown in the frame. For example, asphalt relief in landscape shots looks much more like relief than soap streaks, as happens when shooting on the iPhone 7.
Dark areas, unlike the above-mentioned competitor, do not look like spots or gradient fills - you can almost always see details and texture in them (the algorithm clearly highlights such segments, but within reason). The bright colors in the frame of the Galaxy S8 oversaturate, but these are no longer almost acidic shades, but just a slightly embellished reality. Even the past less natural result appealed to consumers, and the current calm implementation will attract even more people.
Different shooting modes include a set of manual settings, which, paired with the ability to save photos in RAW, will attract an advanced audience. HDR also works great, which will be appreciated by those who dream of the “make beautiful” button, but in this mode the past two generations Samsung flagships. Video recording in Full HD is excellent, and in 4K there is a slight jelly effect from stabilization.
The flagship camera is not a breakthrough compared to the previous generation, but there are many small changes, they all boil down to one thing - to make images more natural. This allows us to call the Galaxy S8 camera the best on the smartphone market without any reservations.
Security and other features
The iris scanner, which Samsung first introduced with the Note7, is also used in the Galaxy S8. The recognition system works well, but there are rare glitches, especially in too bright or too dark conditions, but in 90% of cases it recognizes the owner.
This unlocking method is twice as slow as a fingerprint scanner, and it is also more demanding on conditions - in addition to lighting, the phone must be placed at the correct distance from the face (25-35 cm). But from the outside, such an unlock looks like magic.
The only real inconvenience of the iris scanner is that the smartphone checks the eyes either after a swipe on the display, or as soon as the screen is highlighted, which is why you don’t always have time to read the notifications on the lock screen. You have to deliberately tilt the device away from your face and look at the display at an oblique angle, or choose a setting that requires more action.
However, in most cases, this method is still more convenient than a fingerprint scanner - the latter is located next to the camera and its frame does not differ from the camera rim, which makes it difficult to understand by touch whether it touched the lens or the desired sensor. In addition, the scanner is located high and not in the center, so it (for people with medium-sized palms) is difficult to get when holding the device in the right hand.
The fingerprint scanner also received a new feature - when the screen is active, you can swipe up or down on it to close or open the notification shade. The rest of the features, for the most part, are familiar from other Samsung smartphones:
You can not miss and protection against moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard, as well as support for memory cards that are installed in the second slot for SIM-cards. Samsung also added face unlock, but this feature is nothing new - back in Android 4.0 there was such a feature.
Additional features, shell, sound
The Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with Android 7.0 Nougat and the proprietary Samsung Experience skin. The interface has become even calmer, and in general, the image is more and more like Android in the Google view: even the All Apps button has been eliminated, now the list is called up by swiping up or down the center of the display (almost like in Google Pixel).
OS navigation buttons can be swapped - finally, a Samsung smartphone can retain the logic that Google and most other Android smartphone manufacturers adhere to. The background of the buttons is also customizable: the user can change its color, but choosing a transparent background will not work.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 offers a range of state-of-the-art radios, all of which work perfectly, as they should in flagships. An important difference was the presence of Bluetooth 5.0 - this is the first smartphone with this generation. Its features, in addition to the range, include a wider data transmission channel, due to which two pairs of wireless headphones can be connected to a smartphone, which is useful, for example, when watching movies together on a trip.
The quality of the external speaker is okay: it's still another output source that delivers decent volume and adequate stream clarity even at maximum, but overall the result isn't the best on the market (which is to be expected due to moisture and dust protection). The same can be said about playback through headphones - you can listen to music, the volume is enough, but the novelty does not reach the best representatives with a cool DAC. The overall situation is partially compensated by the built-in equalizer:
The central home button is located on the pressure-sensitive part of the display, which is necessary for retraining people who are used to a physical key with a physical response. The area always works, even when the screen is off and in cases where the button icon is not active. Parallel to the punching, the device delivers a vibration that is still far from the accuracy of the Taptic Engine in the iPhone, but much more pleasant than the rattling motor in most other smartphones.
Most of the functions are convenient, all worked without any failures. The main software innovation, the manufacturer himself calls Bixby assistant.
bixby
Samsung has entered the battle of smart assistants, for which it has built Bixby into the shell and even added a separate physical key to launch it. Unlike competitors that act more like a knowledge base and allow you to use the functions of a smartphone at the simplest level, Bixby works on three fronts at once.
First of all, this is a voice interface for controlling a smartphone. He knows how to manage the settings and content on the smartphone - if you select several photos in the gallery and ask "Create a new album", the assistant will automatically collect the frames and add the appropriate section to the albums. A representative of the company at the presentation gave an example when, while viewing a map, he called Bixby and asked the assistant to take a screenshot and send it to a specific person.
The second feature is Bixby Home, which opposes Google Now's "zero" screen (and takes the same place in the interface). Samsung's own development also collects up-to-date data in the form of cards, pulls up weather information and forms a news agenda, and also knows how to work with several programs. So far, this is mostly branded software, but the manufacturer is already working with third-party developers who will add support for Bixby.
The third "trick" is Bixby Vision. This is a search function using the camera: point your phone at an object and see options for what you can do with the image. At this stage, the program recognizes places, text and tries, as the Google Goggles application does, to identify objects. The latter, in theory, will allow you to find the desired shoes, information about drinks and other information, but so far in 95% of cases, attempts to “scan” something lead to a set of similar images or offer to guess which place is indicated in the photo. The latter feature relies more on GPS and data from Foursquare.
Text recognition does not work very well when compared with specialized software from the same ABBYY or Readdle or Google Translate. It is the latter that you think about the first time you see the possibilities: to digitize the text or to translate it. The accuracy of the work suffers mainly from distortion, ranging from the wrong perspective to the shape of the bottle when trying to read the label. In the future, programmers will probably significantly improve algorithms or buy a company that has already learned how to read text from pictures well.
All the features of Bixby look interesting, especially considering that the program combines the functionality of several services and programs. The main problem is the “will be” remark for each of the features, and the voice assistant is activated after the start of sales (only in the US this will happen by the end of April). So far, it’s not worth talking about Bixby’s serious competition with other assistants, but if the engineers don’t calm down on current achievements, in six months or a year Bixby may become another serious reason to buy Galaxy.
Competitors
Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are available in Ukraine with a single modification: with 64 GB of permanent memory and 4 GB of RAM. The cost of the devices is UAH 24,999 and UAH 28,999, respectively (the sales start will take place on May 5, 2017, but there is).
The actual price is higher than the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge at the start of sales, but the amount of memory has doubled, and AKG headphones are also included
The main competitor to the new products will be last year's Samsung Galaxy S7 edge: curved edges of the display, almost the same camera, comparable performance in everyday tasks, close autonomy. The novelties are only more convenient due to the not so strong bending of the screen, they look fresh thanks to the “borderless display” and please with the absence of a logo on the front side. But the difference in price is significant - S7 edge is sold for 19,999 UAH in official retail, and if you don't care about the bending of the screen, there is almost the same Galaxy S7, available for 17 thousand UAH.
Also, buyers can think about the choice between new products and semi-annual iPhone 7/7 Plus. Apple smartphones against the new Samsung lose in most objective indicators and can only give two arguments: modifications with a large amount of permanent memory, iOS. Moreover, the last feature is too narrow - who seriously clings to the system, has been using iOS for a long time and does not switch to Android, the same thing happens in the opposite direction. To whom it doesn’t matter, they don’t think about it at all, because there are popular programs on both platforms.
Also, buyers can pay attention to the less spectacular LG G6. This smartphone is not as productive, its camera, judging by the first tests, is inferior to Samsung, and from the theoretically attractive features, one can only note a more practical metal case. The display here is also elongated, but there was a place for the logo. But LG's flagship is cheaper - "only" UAH 21,999.
conclusions
Samsung remains the market leader and once again takes the status of the “main Android smartphone” - the Samsung Galaxy S8 turned out to be more convenient than the previous generation due to the not so sharp bevel of the frames and the symmetrical bend on both sides, the appearance has become more spectacular, especially due to the display on almost the entire front surfaces.
The technical features of the device, traditionally, are on top: a high-quality display, a powerful filling, the most modern radio modules, a large number of additional features and all the relevant “chips”, whether it is moisture protection or an iris scanner. The software device has also developed: there are more and more functions, the interface is getting prettier, algorithms are squeezing the maximum out of the actually old camera, sufficient to call it a serious step forward.
Competitors cannot offer all the features found in the Galaxy S8. This is a great device, next to which any device looks like catching up. Minor roughness is still observed, but this is true for any smartphone on the market. Progress is immediately noticeable, and not marking time.
Samsung Galaxy S8 is the right flagship of 2017: productive, beautiful, with a cool camera and full "minced meat", expensive. It is unlikely that anyone will show a more interesting device in the coming months, so we can assume that the Galaxy S8 and S8 + will remain the most technologically advanced devices on the market at least until the release of the new Note.
5 reasons to buy Samsung Galaxy S8:
- spectacular design
- best camera on the market
- excellent performance and minimal heating
- the whole range of additional features in one device
- it's not an iPhone
The Samsung Galaxy S8 phone was released relatively long ago by industry standards - March 29, 2017. But thanks to the power reserve provided by the manufacturer, it remains a relevant smartphone to this day. The model differs from its predecessors in an enlarged screen, as well as the absence of a home button. It is replaced by a tactile element - it is located under the glass. A similar technology is used on the iPhone 7. Reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S8 are positive, users liked it.
The design of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is somewhat different from its counterparts. The first thing you should pay attention to is that there is no Samsung inscription above the screen. The company's engineers simply could not find a place for it. At the same time, the shape of the smartphone is unique, there are no analogues in terms of design on the market today. What distinguishes the owner of the phone from other smartphone users.
The flagship itself is made of glass and metal. When using, be careful. The device is not only slippery, but also instantly covered with fingerprints. It is worth using napkins more often - this will keep the attractive appearance of the smartphone throughout the day. The glass covers the entire front and back of the case. The frame is made of metal.
The model is presented simultaneously in several colors:
- ⦁ golden;
⦁ blue;
⦁ gray;
⦁ black
The columns are gone from the back. The case itself is assembled as reliably as possible. But there is a small gap between the glass of the front panel and the metal frame. The nail does not go there. But dust gets in easily. This is especially unpleasant if the phone is in black. Pollution will immediately become visible against a dark background.
On the back cover There is a fingerprint sensor right next to the lens. Moreover, the latter is now made on the same level with the plane of the body. There is a heart rate monitor, as well as an oxygen saturation analyzer of the user's body.
A smartphone is a good solution for those who go in for sports. It is possible to keep a training diary, to take automatic measurements of your body. Stylish and expensive housing will distinguish the owner of the S8 from other smartphone users.
Design and ergonomics
The curve of the Samsung Galaxy S8 case strongly resembles the geometry of the Note 7. But at the same time, the model in question is small and fits comfortably in the hand. Samsung comparison Galaxy S8 with its closest competitor in the face of the iPhone 8 easily withstands the performance and appearance. The dimensions of the model are relatively small:
- length - 148.9 mm;
- width - 68.1 mm;
- thickness - 8 mm.
Moreover, the weight is only 152 g. The model will look great both in a strong male palm and thin female fingers. The device is universal. The geometry of the case and the location of the "home" button make it comfortable for everyone, regardless of the length of the fingers and the width of the palm. The S8 doesn't feel big. The main reason for this is that it is slightly elongated compared to its counterparts with the same screen size.
Thanks to good balance, it is convenient to work with the phone, despite the sloping body, it does not slip out. On the left side there are "swings" that allow you to easily adjust the volume. There is also a special key to launch the Bixby assistant. It does not work in our country. But you can find a special application on Google Play that allows you to easily reassign a button to another action.
Display
The screen of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the first thing that attracts attention. Moreover, developers and marketers jointly even came up with a special name for it - Infinity Display. The display occupies 97% of the front area of the body, has a resolution of QHD + (2960 × 1440 pixels). The installed screen is of very high quality, there are no dots.
When assembling, SuperAmoled matrices were used. This is the latest generation, improved in comparison with those used in the Note 7 model. Significant changes have been made to the automatic brightness control algorithm, depending on ambient lighting conditions. Specialists have finalized a mode called AlwaysOn Display. The buttons placed on the screen are hidden when applications are running. The diagonal of the display is exactly 5.8 inches.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 model began to use technologies that were previously only used in the development of TVs. In addition, the phone itself constantly analyzes the image present on the screen. There is not only an indicator of the amount of light, but also an RGB color analyzer. He independently, without user intervention, adjusts the screen tones in accordance with external conditions.
The use of Mobile HDR Premium technology should also be attributed to serious advantages over competitors. It was developed literally in 2017 specifically for devices that support 4K resolution. According to experts, the screen in the Galaxy S8 is the most technologically advanced in the world. Its main differences:
- automatic brightness adjustment sets 1000 candelas at maximum illumination - you can easily read even small text under sunlight;
- DCI-P3 Color is used - also used in 4K TVs;
- there are simultaneously 2 sensors that analyze the amount of light - on both front panels;
- night mode eliminates the presence of blue color in the glow spectrum - this allows you to avoid excessive excitement of the psyche;
- a separate circuit for working with Always On technology is built-in - which can significantly save battery power.
Equipment
The package contains a standard list of items:
- the smartphone itself;
- device to connect to electrical network 220 V for battery charging;
- paperclip - allows you to remove the tray to place a SIM card in it;
- headset type AKG - wired type;
- special adapter - for connecting additional equipment - OTG;
- instruction.
The OTG cable deserves special attention. With it, you can connect various external devices to your smartphone. Including all kinds of media. These are USB flash drives, as well as other equipment. The AKG headset allows you to listen to music. She cannot boast of an impressive sound. But for watching movies, video from the Internet is perfect. The device is delivered in a cardboard box.
Specifications Samsung Galaxy S8
Even a year after its release, the device is still relevant. Perhaps this is due to the characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8:
- CPU – Exynos 8895, 8 cores, 2.3 GHz frequency each;
- built-in video accelerator - Mali-G71 MP20;
- the amount of RAM (RAM) - 4 GB;
- the amount of ROM (permanent memory) - 64 GB (several GB are deducted for installing the operating system).
It must be remembered that the model is produced for various markets with different technical specifications. For example, the Chinese version is supplied not with 4, but with 6 GB of RAM. In the US, the exclusive Samsung Galaxy S8 is being sold on the Snapdragon 835 processor. That is why some devices show higher results in various synthetic tests.
Performance
Various software tests do not always show how fast the Samsung Galaxy S8 is. But it is worth noting that there is no gap between clicking on the application icon and launching it. Even compared to the S7 and Note 7, which have never had any complaints in terms of speed, the S8 wins a lot.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the changes in terms of memory. The improvement can already be seen from the transition from UFS 2.0 to UFS 2.1. This allows you to significantly reduce the time required to boot your smartphone. In addition, the switching time between different applications is reduced to a minimum. It was S8 that became the first Samsung device equipped with UFS 2.1 memory.
Among users of alternative devices, there is still a rumor about the slowness of smartphones from Samsung. But such stereotypes are usually the result of installing a huge amount of third-party software on the device. Samsung Review The Galaxy S8 will give you an idea of the actual performance of the device.
cameras
Using the device to take pictures and record videos is appropriate - the camera of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is worthy of all praise. The resolution of the front is as much as 8 megapixels, while it is fast aperture. The maximum aperture size is f/1.7. Due to which the pictures, even with a significant lack of light, can be made bright and sharp. There are many built-in effects.
It seems to many that the main camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels has remained the same. DualPixel technology is used. As with earlier models, Sony is the supplier. Separately, it is necessary to dwell on the increased system performance. Photos of the Samsung Galaxy S8 are more saturated. The camera model has its own memory.
Due to which the speed of work increases by an order of magnitude. There is also a comfort mode called Burst Mode. Thanks to him, you can take several dozen pictures in a row. The high performance of the system allows the camera to focus faster, better work out complex scenes. This is especially noticeable in comparison with the Galaxy S7.
A photo
A special feature of Samsung Galaxy S8 photography is the ability to form a panorama with an impressive 50.6 megapixels. Which makes the picture quality just fantastic.
A high power LED flash will illuminate the shadows, as well as make the subject more detailed in the shadows.
Video
Shooting videos on the Samsung Galaxy S8 is just as good as taking photos. There is the ability to shoot video up to Ultra HD resolution. Recording is done at 60 frames per second. There is electronic image stabilization. But only in Full HD mode. In night mode, the video will also please the user of the smartphone. Dynamic range, vibrant colors and good range detail at high ISO all make shooting easy and fun.
Front-camera
The characteristics of the front camera in comparison with the external one cannot be called outstanding. But it offers quite acceptable results. Perfect for taking pictures of yourself while traveling.
Care must be taken to work in rooms with insufficient lighting. It all depends on the amount of light, other factors.
Sound and music playback quality
The sound of the Samsung Galaxy S8 deserves special attention. Since Samsung uses a completely new development in its smartphone. It constantly analyzes the actions performed by the user. For example, if the owner of a smartphone is talking on Skype, then the volume in the headphones automatically increases. It also cuts off all frequencies, extraneous noise - which can interfere with communication.
In addition, the smartphone constantly evaluates the sound level around the device itself. Automatic adjustment to the situation is carried out. Moreover, the sound processor does not carry out all these actions, only an amplifier is used to solve the tasks.
Another "trick" of the model is the automatic recognition of repetitive sounds. For example, if the headphones constantly rub against clothes, skin, then the device tries to clean out such noises from the music when listening to it. The sound quality depends on the headphones used, as well as sound profiles - which are applied in a particular case.
Samsung has designed and assembled the supplied headset in accordance with the specifications of the S8. All the charms of musical compositions are perfectly revealed thanks to the DSP Cirrus Logic SC43130. The main feature of the module is its versatility, it fits well with most headphones - without any exceptions.
Communication options
Like competitors, Samsung Galaxy S8 supports USB Type C version 3.0. This is the first smartphone of its year of release where the latest generation Bluetooth communication protocol - 5.0 is present. There is also aptX, as well as other built-in audio codecs for audio playback. There is an LTE module, the frequencies used will depend on the specific operator, as well as the country of operation of the device. Moreover, in the LTE category network, the device shows the maximum possible data download speed.
In the network on the territory of Moscow with the mobile operator MTS, the speed obtained by downloading reached 430 Mbit / s. Moreover, the theoretical limit of this indicator is only 450 Mbps. There is dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11. There are simply no major improvements from Samsung in this direction.
Operating system
At the time of the release of the device, the latest operating system, Android 7.0, was installed on it. A proprietary shell Experiense 8.1 is installed on top. It functions quickly enough, there is a proprietary animation. In some ways, it is similar to similar effects in Windows.
The GPU processes all actions in operating system as quickly as possible, without delays and "brakes", artifacts on the screen.
autonomy
The standard battery of the Samsung Galaxy S8 has a capacity of 3,500 mAh. Charging can be done in two ways:
- via a standard USB Type C connector;
- using a wireless charger.
Moreover, in the second case, recharging is carried out automatically - you just need to place the device on a special wireless station. Separately, several energy saving profiles should be noted. They have become more aggressive. This allows you to save battery, extend the life of the device. For example, the video playback time is 18-19 hours with maximum brightness.
Smartphone pros and cons
Samsung Galaxy S8 has its pros and cons. The main advantages include:
- elongated display - this makes it convenient to use;
- well-fitted parts, bright screen;
- high-quality cameras, the ability to shoot video in Ultra HD resolution;
- comfortable interface and performance;
- notification indicator, protection against dust and moisture;
- external speaker volume.
There are also obvious downsides. Samsung smartphone The Galaxy S8 is considered in detail in the review, the main disadvantages include:
- easily soiled case - fingerprints always remain;
- the rear glass is highly prone to scratches;
- if you use a smartphone for games, then the edge of the USB connector constantly rubs your finger;
- fragile design requires the use of a cover;
- lack of a convenient way to quickly unlock the device.
In general, all the disadvantages are easily offset by a large number of advantages. The device perfectly copes with all the functions assigned to it.
Comparison with competitors
The main competitor in this price category for the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the iPhone 8. Comparison of the device by the main parameters:
- the display on the S8 is 5.8 inches versus 4.7 on the iPhone 8. The advantages of Samsung's product are not only in size, but in more advanced technology and resolution;
- in terms of performance, the Snapdragon 835 processor is one step lower than the A11 Bionic. Apple's products in this industry are products of a completely different category (this is easily confirmed by the Geekbench test);
- cameras of these devices give almost identical results. The Apple product has some advantage in brighter lighting;
- The wireless charging station comes standard with Samsung products. For an Apple product, you will need to purchase it separately;
- in terms of offline mode, both devices will not let their users down. Samsung Galaxy S8 lasts 1 hour longer in active talk mode.
In general, both devices will be an excellent solution. But it is worth remembering that there are differences in performance, as well as functionality. It is important to take into account the cardinal differences in operating systems.
Final review
Despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S8 model was released relatively long ago (more than 1 year ago), it is still in high demand in stores. The reason for this is good performance, high-quality pictures and long work without recharging. It is worth remembering that using this device without a case threatens to scratch the rear glass. There are other nuances of operation.
Samsung Galaxy S8 shows good performance regardless of the installed processor. Communication quality is at the highest level. The ability to work with Wi-Fi in two bands at the same time deserves special attention. Another advantage is that the cost of the model has decreased significantly within a year after the release.