THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S8!!
As the top smartphone manufacturer in the world, Samsung consistently pushes the boundaries of mobile technology with each new Galaxy flagship. Released in 2017 the Galaxy S8 built upon the success of the Galaxy S7 with an all-new design and several major upgrades.
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SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 |
In this in-depth guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the Galaxy S8, including key specs, features, performance, camera quality, and more. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of why the S8 remains a powerful device years after its debut.
SPECS THAT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME!
Let's start with an overview of the Galaxy S8's specs:
"FEATURES" | "SPECIFICATIONS" |
---|---|
DISPLAY: RESOLUTION: PROTECTION: | 5.8-INCH QUAD HD+ SUPER AMOLED (1440 x 2960) PIXELS (~570 PPI) GORILLA GLASS 5 (CORNING) |
COLORS: | BLACK MIDNIGHT SILVER ARCTIC PINK ROSE RED BURGUNDY GOLD MAPLE BLUE CORAL WHITE FROST GREY FLASH |
RAM: | 4GB |
STORAGE: | 64GB CAPACITY |
CAMERA: VIDEO: | 12MP : F/1.7 (26MM WIDE) DUAL PIXEL WITH OIS 8MP : F/1.7 (25MM WIDE) 2MP : (DEPTH SENSOR) 4K (30FPS) 1080P (60FPS)/(30FPS) 720P (240FPS) |
BATTERY: | 3.000 MAH (LI-ION) NON REMOVABLE 15W FAST CHARGING SUPPORT |
OPERATING SYSTEM: PROCESSOR: CPU: GPU: | ANDROID 7.0 (NOUGAT): CAN UPGRADE UPTO ONE UI-ANDROID 9.0 (PIE) SMS8998 SNAPDRAGON 835 QUALCOMM (10 NM) OCTA-CORE EMEA (4x2.3 GHz MONGOOSE-M2 )& (4x1.7 GHz CORTEX-A53 ) EMEA OCTA-CORE USA & CHINA (4x2.35 GHz KRYO)& (4x1.9 GHz KRYO) ADRENO 540 (USA & CHINA) MALI G71 MP20 (EMA) |
DIMENSIONS: WEIGHT: | L: 148.9 MM B: 68.1 MM H: 8 MM (155 GRAMS- 0.155 KG) |
PRICE: | 216.$ DOLLARS APPROXIMATELY |
While not the most powerful specs today, the Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM provided smooth performance for multitasking and graphics-intensive apps during the S8's time. The dual 12MP rear cameras with optical image stabilization also delivered high-quality photos.
Most impressively, the S8's Infinity Display revolutionized smartphone design by maximizing screen real estate with almost no bezels. At 5.8 inches, it was large yet manageable for one-handed use. Colors really popped thanks to Samsung's Super AMOLED technology as well.
All these specs have stood the test of time. The S8 remains a capable device even years later, showing how well it was engineered from the start.
STUNNING DESIGN THAT CHANGED THE GAME!
Samsung took smartphone design to new heights with the Galaxy S8. Gone were the physical home buttons of past Galaxy phones, replaced by an edge-to-edge Infinity Display that covered over 80% of the device's entire front surface.
Curved glass blended seamlessly into the body on both sides, making the S8 feel like a polished piece of technology. Its slim 7.9mm thickness and rounded corners also improved ergonomics for comfortable one-handed use.
The rear of the phone featured a polished glass back with a vertical dual-camera system. An integrated fingerprint sensor was relocated to a more natural position below the main camera for easy scanning.
Color options included Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, and Coral Blue - all with a luxurious high-gloss finish. Needless to say, the S8 set a new standard for aesthetically-pleasing smartphones.
Its revolutionary design language went on to influence the entire industry. Many consider the S8 to be one of the most beautifully-designed phones of all time. Samsung truly outdid itself from an engineering and style perspective.
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SAMSUNG S8 SPECS |
IMPROVED BIO-METRICS FOR ENHANCED SECURITY!
In addition to relocating the fingerprint sensor, Samsung added several other biometric security features to the Galaxy S8:
- IRIS SCANNING: Unlock the phone by looking at the screen using the front-facing camera for iris recognition.
- FACE UNLOCK: A less secure alternative to iris scanning but convenient for unlocking in certain situations.
- INTELLIGENT SCAN: Combines iris scanning and face recognition for faster unlocking depending on conditions.
All worked seamlessly without any lag. Registering fingerprints and irises took just seconds as well. Biometric authentication made for a more seamless unlocking experience compared to passwords or PINs.
The S8's biometric security also set a new standard that many manufacturers have since followed. It demonstrated Samsung's continued focus on innovation beyond just specs and design.
STANDOUT FEATURES FOR PRODUCTIVITY AND FUN!
Powering the S8's edge-to-edge display was Samsung's new Touch Wiz interface (later renamed to Samsung Experience). It incorporated several standout features:
- EDGE PANELS: Swipe from the side to access panels like People Edge for quick contacts access.
- BIXBY Samsung's AI assistant could perform tasks like taking photos, making calls or getting information using voice commands.
- DEX: With an optional dock, the S8 could be used as a PC-like desktop experience by connecting to an external display, keyboard, and mouse.
- SAMSUNG PAY: Contactless payment functionality worked on most payment terminals, not just NFC-enabled ones.
- ALWAYS ON DISPLAY: Glance at the time and notifications without waking the screen from standby.
These experiences, along with the usual suite of Samsung apps, made the S8 highly productive and customizable right out of the box. It also offered fun capabilities beyond the typical smartphone.
GROUNDBREAKING CAMERA PERFORMANCE!
Photography was a major focus for the Galaxy S8. Its dual 12MP rear cameras - one wide-angle and one telephoto lens - enabled new capabilities:
- 2x OPTICAL ZOOM: Switch seamlessly between 1x and 2x zoom without any quality loss.
- LIVE FOCUS: Adjust bokeh effect before and after taking portrait shots for professional-looking results.
- SELECTIVE FOCUS: Change the focus point after the fact just like a DSLR.
The rear cameras also featured optical image stabilization across both lenses. Low-light performance was among the best in any phone at the time thanks to Samsung's fast f/1.7 aperture and large 1.4μm pixels.
An 8MP front-facing camera with autofocus allowed for sharp selfies even in dim conditions. Live focus selfies were possible as well. Overall, the S8 delivered DSLR-quality photos that still hold their own versus newer phones.
STELLAR PERFORMANCE THAT HASN'T SLOWED!
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or Samsung Exynos 8895 depending on region, the Galaxy S8 provided lightning-fast performance across all tasks during its time:
- Apps opened instantly and multitasking was buttery smooth.
- Graphics-heavy games ran at high frame rates without any stutter.
- The Quad HD+ display looked gorgeous whether browsing or streaming media.
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SAMSUNG |
Even years later, the S8 still feels snappy thanks to its powerful specs. Apps load quickly, and graphics look sharp on its vibrant screen. 4GB of RAM prevents apps from reloading too.
Its 3,000mAh battery capacity also provided all-day battery life under normal usage. Moderate users could get through 1.5 days without issue. Fast charging via USB-C further enhanced convenience.
In short, the S8's performance set the standard for Android flagships and remains highly capable even in 2022. It proves how well Samsung optimized both hardware and software.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SAMSUNG GALAXY S8!
Let's summarize some of the Galaxy S8's key advantages and disadvantages:
ADVANTAGES:
- Stunning edge-to-edge Infinity Display
- Premium glass and metal design
- Powerful Snapdragon 835/Exynos 8895 processor
- 4GB RAM for smooth multitasking
- Dual 12MP rear cameras with advanced features
- Bright and vibrant Super AMOLED screen
- Improved biometric security options
- All-day 3,000mAh battery life
- DeX desktop experience support
- Samsung Pay and Always On Display
DISADVANTAGES:
- No headphone jack or microSD card slot
- Iris scanner not as secure as fingerprint
- Bixby voice assistant had limited capabilities at launch
- No wireless charging out of the box
- Fingerprint sensor placement took some getting used to
- Not fully waterproof like later Galaxy phones
As you can see, the pros far outweighed the cons. Most downsides have also been addressed on newer Galaxy flagships in the years since.
SHOULD YOU STILL BUY THE GALAXY S8 in 2024?
While newer phones have surpassed the S8 in certain areas like processing power and camera specs, it remains a viable option for a few key reasons:
- VALUE: Used S8 models can often be found for under $200, an absolute steal for such a capable device.
- DESIGN: Its edge-to-edge screen and polished aesthetic still look high-end even compared to newer phones.
- PERFORMANCE: The Snapdragon 835 provides more than enough power for everyday tasks. Performance has aged very well.
- CAMERA: Its dual 12MP shooters can still take great photos on par with newer mid-range phones.
- Accessories: Cases, screen protectors, and other accessories are widely available and affordable.
Of course, being an older device does come with some compromises like lack of software updates. But if you value design, a great screen, and still-smooth performance on a budget, the Galaxy S8 remains a solid choice in 2022. Just be aware of its limitations versus newer options.
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SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 PRICE |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)?
Here are some common questions people have about the Galaxy S8:
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