Long, frameless, with an excellent camera and top performance
Samsung recently officially introduced its long-awaited flagship smartphones Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ in Russia. Even despite major setbacks in the recent past, Samsung's flagship devices not only continue to be the main competition for Apple's iPhones, but are also some of the most technically advanced Android smartphones. Compared to the previous (seventh) generation, a lot has changed here, from the design in general to the arrangement of individual elements in particular, not to mention the improved hardware and updated software. Not all the changes are for the better, but there are so many of them that we can say that Samsung decided to start from scratch. It is worth noting that, to the delight of many, the difference in the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ models is only in size; almost everything else is the same. There are no various modifications with varying amounts of built-in memory or RAM, different performance, the presence or absence of certain elements. The user does not need to agonize over the choice; they just need to decide on the preferred dimensions of the device. The technical characteristics of both models are almost identical, and we will begin this review by listing them, choosing the Galaxy S8+ model as a sample.
Main characteristics of Samsung Galaxy S8+ (Model SM-G955F)
- SoC Samsung Exynos 8895 Octa, 8 cores: [email protected] GHz (Exynos M1) + [email protected] GHz (ARM Cortex-A53)
(another modification of the smartphone is based on SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 835) - GPU Mali-G71
- Operating system Android 7.0
- Touch display Super AMOLED 6.2″, 2960×1440, 529 ppi
- Random access memory (RAM) 4 GB, internal memory 64 GB
- Nano-SIM support (2 pcs.)
- MicroSD support up to 256 GB
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- WCDMA/HSPA+ networks (850/900/1900/2100 MHz)
- FDD LTE Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66 networks
- Networks TD LTE Band 38—41
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz) MIMO
- Bluetooth 5.0LE
- GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, BDS
- USB Type-C, USB OTG
- Main camera 12 MP (f/1.7), autofocus, 4K video
- Front camera 8 MP (f/1.7), autofocus
- Waterproof IP68
- Proximity, lighting, heart rate, magnetic field, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer
- Iris scanner, fingerprint scanner
- Battery 3500 mAh, fast charging
- Wireless charging (WPC, PMA)
- Dimensions 160×73×8.1 mm
- Weight 173 g
Contents of delivery
The Samsung Galaxy S8+ received a stylishly designed matte black cardboard box with a laconic design as packaging. The lid is not completely removable, it folds back like a box. The contents are neatly packaged in separate cells.
The kit, in the best Samsung traditions, turned out to be extensive. The smartphone package includes a USB Type-C connecting cable, a network adapter with variable output current and voltage 5/9 V 1.67/2 A, an unusually shaped key for removing cards, a Micro-USB to USB Type-C adapter, a second USB adapter - USB Type-C.
The company also included high-quality wired dual-driver AKG stereo headphones with a set of interchangeable in-ear pads.
Appearance and ease of use
The design of the Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ turned out to be unusual and attractive. The streamlined body is made entirely of metal and glass, there is no plastic here. A metal frame rounded on all sides, symmetrically tapering at the sides and widening at the top and bottom ends, connects two glass panels - front and back. Gorilla Glass 5 is used as a coating; the glass has noticeable curves on the sides. The frame in the front plane of the screen is completely hidden behind the curve of the glass, so here we can talk about a truly frameless option.
The body of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ is absolutely symmetrical; the back side is also completely covered with Gorilla Glass 5 with curved edges. The edges of the glass are rounded so much that they flow almost seamlessly (not counting the frame) into one another, creating a complete shape without a single sharp corner or straight edge. For this shape, Samsung marketers dubbed their new brainchild a “smartphone without borders.”
The Samsung Galaxy S8+ looks very attractive. And although such a design may seem too “sleek” and “pampered”, but these are modern realities, the vast majority of users liked it.
Due to the unusual aspect ratio of the display (not 16:9, but 18.5:9), the body turned out to be very elongated in height. At the same time, the absence of a frame on the sides of the screen in the front plane made it possible to make the body so narrow that it is quite comfortable to hold in the hand even with a screen diagonal of 6.2 inches. True, the device is quite slippery due to its glass panels, smooth frame and streamlined shape.
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The curved edges of the front glass work in conjunction with the corresponding software in the same way as in previous models of the Galaxy Edge series. Above the screen you can find a full range of elements, including an LED event indicator and even an iris scanner.
The scanner works tolerably, but the process of setting the lock and constant recognition is quite tedious, because this system only works in certain light conditions and at a certain distance from the eyes. It is much easier and faster to use the fingerprint scanner, although its location here causes some confusion.
There are no more control buttons under the screen, only on the screen itself. This is atypical for Samsung; its Galaxy smartphones have always had a hardware key on the front (in the latest models, with an integrated fingerprint sensor). Now its place has been taken by a virtual button on the screen, but it is also not quite ordinary. To ensure that the static button, which is constantly illuminated in the Always On Display mode, does not cause pixel burnout, it was made movable. Thus, the seemingly static central button on the screen actually constantly moves imperceptibly in different directions.
The fingerprint scanner has been moved to the back. At the same time, it is greatly shifted from the center to the right, so that it is inconvenient for a left-handed person to reach it with his finger. In addition, the tactile area of the fingerprint sensor does not differ from neighboring elements; it is difficult to feel it blindly, you need to get used to it. In general, this is perhaps the most unusual and inconvenient option for the location of this element that we have previously encountered; Samsung again went too far with the fingerprint sensor.
Next to the scanner you can find a camera module with a flash, as well as a heart rate sensor familiar to Samsung smartphones. None of the elements protrude beyond the surface, so the smartphone lies stable on the table and does not wobble when you touch the screen. The flash is as bright as possible.
There are no complaints about the operation of the fingerprint scanner itself; it works quickly, clearly and accurately. But, as already mentioned, reaching for it while holding a smartphone in your left hand is very inconvenient.
The slot for installing cards is located at the top end. The cover of the removable slide on which the cards are placed has a rubberized gasket, since the Samsung Galaxy S8+, like the LG G6, meets the IP68 protection category, that is, the case is completely protected from dust and allows immersion in water to a depth of 1.5 m for 30 minutes. However, the developers did not go further: the design here is not designed for harsh operating conditions, like the LG G6, so the hero of the review does not have military standard certification.
A standard hybrid connector is used, into which you can install either two Nano-SIM cards, or one SIM card and one microSD memory card. The slides are made of flexible plastic; the device itself reports the need to tightly close the connector cover to protect it from water.
The volume button has been moved to the left side, where it is adjacent to a separate key for calling the Bixby intelligent assistant, with which you can work with available services and applications via the touch screen, voice or text commands. The power key remains on the right side. The buttons are not very large, but handling them is quite comfortable; the keys are easy to feel blindly.
All other interface elements are located at the bottom end. There is a USB Type-C connector installed here, which supports connecting external devices in USB OTG mode, the main speaker is located here, as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a speaking microphone hole. Surprisingly, the developers were unable to install any of the elements exactly; each of them turned out to be offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the end, which spoils the impression a little.
Having studied the structure of the Galaxy S8+ case, let's compare it with the previous Galaxy S7 Edge model. The naked eye can see that the width of these smartphones is almost identical.
However, the Galaxy S8+ has a longer screen with a non-standard aspect ratio, which allows for more surface area to be devoted to the screen. As a result, the Galaxy S8+ with a 6.2″ screen fits as comfortably in the palm of your hand as the Galaxy S7 Edge with a 5.5″ screen.
In addition, the sides of the case of the review hero have become less slippery due to the increased width of the metal frame: the curved edges of the screen on the Galaxy S8+ have been reduced, the frame is now located exactly in the middle between the front and rear panels. So, in general, the changes only benefited the new product.
Samsung Galaxy S8+ is presented on the Russian market in three colors: black (“Black Diamond”), gray (“Mystical Amethyst”) and golden (“Yellow Topaz”).
Screen
Samsung Galaxy S8+ is equipped with a Super AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection with highly rounded edges. The physical dimensions of the screen are approximately 70x142 mm with a diagonal of 6.2 inches, that is, the aspect ratio is 18.5:9. The screen resolution is 2960x1440, the pixel density is about 529 ppi. The corner parts of the screen, like the LG G6, are rounded, there are no side frames as such in the front plane of the screen, the upper and lower segments surrounding the screen are only approximately 8.5 mm in height.
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You can manually adjust the display brightness or set automatic settings based on the ambient light sensor. HDR10 mode is supported. The AnTuTu test diagnoses support for 10 simultaneous multi-touch touches. There is a vision protection mode (preventing eye fatigue). In Always-on mode, information about the current time and date, as well as missed events, is displayed on the switched off screen.
In the screen settings section, you can select the resolution and applications that should be used in full-screen proportions. It seems that the developers first made a screen with an unusual aspect ratio, just to make it “not like everyone else,” and then added various “crutches” to the software so that the programs would work normally with such a screen.
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A detailed examination using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections Alexey Kudryavtsev. Here is his expert opinion on the screen of the sample under study.
The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are better than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected when the screens are turned off (on the left is Nexus 7, on the right is Samsung Galaxy S8+, then they can be distinguished by size):
The screen of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ is slightly darker (photo brightness is 107 versus 115 for the Nexus 7) and does not have a pronounced tint. The ghosting of reflected objects on the Samsung Galaxy S8+ screen is very weak, which indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. Due to the smaller number of boundaries (glass/air type) with very different refractive indices, screens without an air gap look better in conditions of intense external illumination, but their repair in the case of cracked external glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be replaced. On the outer surface of the screen of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ there is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, better than that of the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much easier and appear at a lower speed than in the case of regular glass.
When displaying a white field in full screen and manually controlling the brightness, its maximum value was 370 cd/m² in normal conditions and rises to 580 cd/m² in very bright light. You also need to take into account the fact that in this case, the smaller the white area on the screen, the brighter it is, that is, the actual maximum brightness of the white areas will almost always be higher than the specified value. For example, when displaying a white field on half the screen and a black field on the other half, we obtained values of 460 cd/m² and 725 cd/m² for the above conditions. As a result, readability during the day in the sun should be at a good level. The minimum value is 1.6 cd/m². The reduced brightness level allows you to use the device even in complete darkness without any problems. Automatic brightness adjustment works based on the light sensor (it is located to the left of the front speaker slot). The operation of this function depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider; the user can use it to try to set the desired brightness level in the current conditions. If in an office environment the brightness slider is set to maximum, then in complete darkness the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to 6.4 cd/m² (dark), in an office illuminated by artificial light (approximately 550 lux) it sets it to 340 cd/m² (excessively bright) , in a very bright environment (corresponding to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or a little more) increases to 545 cd/m² (sufficient). If in complete darkness and in an office environment, use the slider to set the brightness a little higher and lower, then the screen brightness for the three conditions indicated above is as follows: 13, 180, 545 cd/m² (ideal combination). It turns out that the auto-brightness function works adequately and to some extent allows the user to customize their work to individual requirements. At any brightness level there is significant modulation with a frequency of approximately 60 or 240 Hz. The figure below shows brightness (vertical axis) versus time (horizontal axis) for several brightness settings:
It can be seen that at maximum and close to it brightness the modulation amplitude is not very large; as a result, there is no visible flicker. However, as the brightness decreases, modulation appears with a large relative amplitude; its presence can already be seen in a test for the presence of a stroboscopic effect or simply with rapid eye movement. Depending on individual sensitivity, this flickering may cause increased fatigue.
This screen uses a Super AMOLED matrix - an active matrix on organic light-emitting diodes. A full-color image is created using subpixels of three colors - red (R), green (G) and blue (B), but there are twice as many green subpixels, which can be referred to as RGBG. This is confirmed by a fragment of a microphotograph:
For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.
In the fragment above you can count 4 green subpixels, 2 red (4 halves) and 2 blue (1 whole and 4 quarters), and by repeating these fragments, you can lay out the entire screen without breaks or overlap. For such matrices, Samsung introduced the name PenTile RGBG. The manufacturer calculates the screen resolution based on the green subpixels; based on the other two, it will be two times lower. The location and shape of the subpixels in this version is close to the case of the screen of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and some other newer Samsung devices (and not only) with AMOLED screens. This version of PenTile RGBG is better than the old one with red squares, blue rectangles and stripes of green subpixels. However, some unevenness of contrast borders and other artifacts are still present. However, due to the very high resolution, they only have a minimal impact on image quality.
The screen has excellent viewing angles. True, the white color, when deviated even at small angles, alternately acquires a light blue-green and pinkish tint, but the black color remains simply black at any angle. It is so black that the contrast setting is not applicable in this case. For comparison, here are photos in which the screens of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ (profile Basic) and the second comparison participant, identical images were displayed, while the brightness of the screens was initially set to approximately 200 cd/m², and the color balance on the camera was forced to switch to 6500 K.
White field:
We note good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field (with the exception of slight darkening and a change in hue towards the curved edges).
And a test picture (profile Basic):
Color rendition is good, the colors are moderately saturated, the color balance of the screens varies slightly. Recall that photography can not serve as a reliable source of information about color rendering quality and are provided for illustrative purposes only. In particular, the pronounced reddish tint of the white and gray fields present in photographs of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ screen is visually absent when viewed from a perpendicular view, which is confirmed by hardware tests using a spectrophotometer. The reason is that the spectral sensitivity of the camera sensor does not exactly match this characteristic of human vision. Note that in this case, the image occupies the height (at this screen orientation) of the entire area available for image display and extends onto the curved edges of the screen, which leads to darkening and color distortion. Also, in the light, these areas almost always glare, which makes it even more difficult to view images displayed on the entire screen. And even the picture of films with an aspect ratio of 16:9 bends, which greatly interferes with watching movies.
The photo above was taken after selecting a profile Basic in the screen settings, there are four of them:
Profile Adaptive display differs in some kind of automatic adjustment of color rendering to the type of output image and environmental conditions:
Saturation and color contrast are greatly increased, it looks terrible. What happens when you select the two remaining profiles is shown below.
Movie AMOLED:
Saturation and color contrast are also increased, but not as much.
Photo AMOLED:
Saturation is slightly lower, but color contrast is slightly higher than in the case Movie AMOLED.
Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen (profile Basic).
White field:
The brightness at an angle for both screens has noticeably decreased (to avoid strong darkening, the shutter speed has been increased compared to previous photographs), but in the case of Samsung the drop in brightness is much less pronounced. As a result, with formally the same brightness, the screen of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ visually looks much brighter (compared to LCD screens), since you often have to look at the screen of a mobile device from at least a slight angle.
And a test picture:
It can be seen that the colors have not changed much on both screens and the brightness of the Samsung smartphone at an angle is noticeably higher. Switching the state of the matrix elements is performed almost instantly, but at the switching edge there may be a step with a width of approximately 17 ms (which corresponds to a screen refresh rate of 60 Hz). For example, this is what the dependence of brightness on time looks like when moving from black to white and back:
In some conditions, the presence of such a step can lead to plumes trailing behind moving objects. However, dynamic scenes in films on OLED screens are distinguished by high clarity and even some “jerky” movements.
A gamma curve constructed using 32 points with equal intervals based on the numerical value of the shade of gray showed that there is no significant blockage either in the highlights or in the shadows. The exponent of the approximating power function is 2.09, which is slightly less than the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve deviates little from the power dependence:
Let us recall that in the case of OLED screens, the brightness of image fragments dynamically changes in accordance with the nature of the displayed image - it decreases for generally light images. As a result, the resulting dependence of brightness on hue (gamma curve) most likely slightly does not correspond to the gamma curve of a static image, since the measurements were carried out with sequential display of shades of gray on almost the entire screen.
Color gamut in the case of a profile Adaptive display very wide:
In profile Movie AMOLED coverage is a little narrower:
When selecting a profile Photo AMOLED coverage is adjusted to Adobe RGB boundaries:
When selecting a profile Basic coverage is compressed to sRGB boundaries:
Without correction, the spectra of the components are very well separated:
In case of profile Basic with maximum correction, the color components are already noticeably mixed with each other:
Note that on screens with a wide color gamut, without appropriate correction, the colors of regular images optimized for sRGB devices appear unnaturally saturated. Hence the recommendation - in most cases, watching movies, photographs and everything natural is better when choosing a profile Basic, and only if the photo was taken on an Adobe RGB setting, does it make sense to switch the profile to Photo AMOLED. Profile Movie AMOLED, despite the name, is the least suitable for watching movies or anything else.
The grayscale balance is good. The color temperature is close to 6500 K, while in a significant portion of the gray scale this parameter does not change very much, which improves the visual perception of color balance. The deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) remains below 10 units across most of the gray scale, which is considered good for a consumer device:
(The darkest areas of the gray scale can in most cases be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)
For some reason only when selecting a profile Adaptive display It becomes possible to adjust the color balance by three adjustments of the intensity of the primary colors, but due to the too wide color gamut in this profile there is no point in correcting the balance.
Let's summarize. The screen has a very high maximum brightness and has excellent anti-glare properties, so the device can be used outdoors without any problems, even on a sunny summer day. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable value. It is acceptable to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works adequately. The advantages of the screen include an effective oleophobic coating, as well as a color gamut close to sRGB and good color balance. At the same time, let us remind you about the general advantages of OLED screens: true black color (if nothing is reflected in the screen), a noticeably smaller drop in image brightness than LCDs when viewed at an angle. Disadvantages include modulation of screen brightness. For users who are particularly sensitive to flicker, this may cause increased fatigue. However, overall the screen quality is very high. Separately, we note that from the point of view of image quality, curved edges are only harmful, since this design discovery introduces very noticeable distortions of the color tone and reduces the brightness at the edges of the picture, and in ambient light conditions it leads to inevitable glare along at least one long side of the screen.
Camera
The front 8-megapixel camera does not have its own flash, but it has a fast f/1.7 lens and even supports intelligent autofocus with face detection. As a front-facing flash, you can use the “fill in” bright backlight of the screen directly at the moment of shooting. Naturally, there is a mode for retouching selfie photos. The front camera shoots well for its level, there are no special complaints about detail and sharpness, but it’s hard to say that this camera is in any way better than analogues from Huawei, for example. Not bad, but nothing more.
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The main camera uses a 12-megapixel sensor with a pixel size of 1.4 microns, as well as a fast lens with an f/1.7 aperture, an optical stabilization system and Dual Pixel technology, which is designed to provide autofocus so fast that even the sharpest movements can be captured in low light conditions. There is a very bright LED flash.
The camera takes pictures in automatic or manual mode. In manual settings mode, you can adjust shutter speed (from 1/24000 to 10 s), light sensitivity (up to ISO 800), white balance and exposure compensation. There is the possibility of retouching images, support for HDR auto and a selective focus mode for changing the depth of field in the finished image. The camera is also connected to the Bixby intelligent assistant, which should recognize subjects, find places and translate texts from the screen.
Using the Camera2 API, you can transfer camera control to third-party applications. It is also possible to save pictures in RAW.
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The camera can shoot video in 4K resolution (3840x2160), but only at 30 fps, and 60 fps is only available in Full HD (1920x1080). There is also a shooting mode in an intermediate resolution of 2560×1440, also at a speed of 30 fps. There is an optical stabilization feature that really makes handheld shooting on the go extremely smooth. In any of the resolutions, the camera copes with video shooting very well: sharpness, color rendition and detail are normal, there is enough brightness, there is no question of artifacts and slowdowns. There are no complaints about sound recording either: the sensitivity of the microphones is high, the sound is clear and loud, and the noise reduction system adequately copes with wind noise.
- Video No. 1 (87 MB, 3840×2160@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
- Video No. 2 (33 MB, 2560×1440@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
- Video No. 3 (28 MB, 1920×1080@60 fps, H.264, AAC)
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Good sharpness across the frame. |
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Good detail in the background. |
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For indoor shooting, the detail is excellent. |
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The camera handles small and complex details well. |
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Good detail when shooting at dusk. |
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The text was done perfectly. |
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The camera copes well with macro photography. |
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Good sharpness across the frame and in the plans. |
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As the shot is removed, the sharpness drops slowly and smoothly. |
We also tested the camera on a laboratory bench using our method.
| JPEG | RAW |
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Lighting ≈3200 lux. |
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Lighting ≈1400 lux. |
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Lighting ≈130 lux. |
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Lighting ≈130 lux, flash. |
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Lighting<1 люкс, вспышка. |
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Samsung continues to work on the quality of its cameras. The megapixel race, fortunately, has been forgotten, and now the manufacturer pays more attention to the little things. Even in complex scenes, the camera does not forget about small details, so images look good even in low light. The soapiness is gradually fading away, which means that the program’s algorithms have improved. The program has practically stopped “eating” parts, and sharpening is almost invisible. Of course, if you look closely, you can find both, but this is nitpicking.
A laboratory test confirms that the camera has remained virtually unchanged since the previous generation. However, there are differences, they just lie in little things that are difficult for the stand to reflect. For those who like to tinker with photo processing, the manufacturer has made a very good RAW, which in some situations actually allows you to get better results than in-camera JPEG.
In general, the camera turned out to be quite flagship and will cope well with many different scenes.
Telephone and communications
The communication capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ include support for advanced LTE Cat.16 technology, all three LTE FDD frequency bands of interest to us are supported (Band 3, 7, 20), and there is also support for four TDD LTE bands (Band 38-41). It supports two Wi-Fi bands (2.4 and 5 GHz), has Bluetooth 5.0 LE, and you can organize a wireless access point via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth channels. The developers claim that thanks to support for Wi-Fi 1204-QAM and LTE Cat.16 standards, download speeds compared to previous flagships Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge have been increased by 20% both over Wi-Fi and via the mobile Internet. In the city limits of the Moscow region, the device behaves confidently, the quality of signal reception is not satisfactory, the device demonstrates high speeds in the usual test places, and quickly restores communication after a break.
The device has an NFC module, but it does not support working with electronic travel cards. The USB Type-C connector supports connecting external devices in USB OTG mode; the corresponding adapter is included in the accessory kit. The data transfer speed between a computer and a smartphone via a cable connected in the case of a PC to the USB 3.1 Type-C ports is about 26 MB/s.
The navigation module works with GPS (with A-GPS), with the domestic Glonass and the Chinese Beidou. During a cold start, the first satellites are detected within the first seconds, positioning clarity is maximum. There is a built-in magnetic compass.
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The phone application supports Smart Dial, that is, while dialing a phone number, a search is immediately carried out by the first letters in contacts. In conversational dynamics, the voice of a familiar interlocutor is clearly recognizable, there is no extraneous noise, the sound is natural, clear, and there is enough volume reserve. The vibrating alert is much higher in power than the average level; its intensity can be changed manually.
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Software and multimedia
The Samsung Galaxy S8+ uses Android OS version 7.0 Nougat with its own proprietary shell as a software platform. There is a convenient option to quickly transfer all data from your old smartphone to the new Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ using the OTG adapter that is included in the package.
First of all, it should be noted that the larger display with a changed aspect ratio and high resolution provides more space for any information, text or graphics, so a lot of attention is paid to the dual-window mode. Not every application here can be made to work in a small window; for this, each has a corresponding icon displayed in the menu of recent open programs. That is, you first need to launch and minimize the application to understand whether it has the ability to work in two-window mode, and then find a second one of the same kind. Not a very simple and intuitive option, but you can get used to it. In addition, the size of such windows can be changed. It is also possible to reduce the entire working area of the screen for ease of operation with the fingers of one hand. We can’t say that this functionality is convenient in practice, since all the elements on the screen become too small, especially the virtual keyboard buttons, but it is possible.
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Due to the non-standard aspect ratio of the screen, the video in the player appears with black bars on the sides, but using scaling you can stretch the image to the very edges of the screen. Some games have reported potential display issues, but overall we haven't encountered any issues that can't be resolved.
Another feature of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ screen is the ability to use its curved sides, which are accessible for finger interaction due to the lack of frames. There is nothing new here: as before, you can display an illuminated virtual strip on the side of the screen, which, when pressed, opens a menu responsible for quick contacts and instant access to the most used applications. Also here it becomes possible to select and save any part of the screen with further text recognition.
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But of course, the main feature of the software of the new Korean smartphones was the appearance of the Samsung voice assistant - Bixby, which is a direct competitor to both Siri and Google Assistant, which, by the way, remained in place. According to the developers, Bixby will not only be able to answer questions by collecting information on the Internet, but also identify a product using a camera and search for it on Amazon, translate texts in real time, and recognize landmarks. But the functions that will allow you to fully control your smartphone through voice commands are not yet available and will appear later.
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As already mentioned, the smartphone camera is connected to the Bixby intelligent assistant, which should recognize shooting objects, find places and translate texts from the screen. True, in practice, for Russian realities, he still manages to do all this with difficulty. Even if the main language of the device is Russian, the program will persistently offer to translate from any other language, but not from Russian. The assistant doesn’t yet know everything about the sights either. At the same time, there were no problems with translation from English into Russian.
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There are very few additional programs, and those that exist are mainly represented by a set of Microsoft applications. Of particular note is Game Launcher, a convenient game aggregator that automatically collects all installed gaming applications in one place, and also provides additional functions related to it. For example, it is possible to start recording the gameplay from the screen right during the game, with its further broadcast on the network. You can also use Game Launcher to improve system performance when launching selected games to improve your gaming experience.
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To listen to music, only the standard Google Play Music player is provided, supplemented by a powerful set of manual settings and equalizer presets, as well as Adapt sound technology for headphones. The smartphone comes with dual-driver AKG headphones with very good sound quality for their level. But while the sound in the headphones is fine, the main speaker of the smartphone is not so impressive. It produces a rather monotonous and flat sound, without noticeable depth and richness, although there are no complaints about the purity and volume reserve.
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Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S8+ hardware platform is built on the Samsung Exynos 8895 Octa SoC with 8 cores in two clusters: 4 Exynos M1 cores with a frequency of up to 2.3 GHz and 4 ARM Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of up to 1.7 GHz. This SoC is made using the latest 10-nanometer process technology. The Mali-G71 video accelerator with support for the Vulkan graphics API is responsible for graphics processing. The amount of RAM is 4 GB, and the internal memory is 64 GB, of which about 1.6 GB of RAM and 52.5 GB of ROM are initially free.
It is worth noting that traditionally for Samsung, Galaxy devices can be based on different SoCs: in this case, it is Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895. As always, the issue of supply of one or another modification will depend on the region. The smartphone we received for testing ran on the Samsung Exynos 8895 platform.
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Based on the results of all tests without exception, the Samsung Exynos 8895 SoC showed maximum results; this is the most powerful mobile platform of all those we have tested so far. Accordingly, the Samsung Galaxy S8+ is one of the most powerful modern smartphones, and it has a significant performance reserve for future updates. The smartphone confidently copes with any tasks in real scenarios, and thanks to a powerful video accelerator, it performs well in the most demanding games. These videos recording gameplay in Modern Combat 5 and Mortal Kombat X were recorded using the built-in means of the smartphone itself using the Game Launcher application.
Testing in comprehensive tests AnTuTu and GeekBench:
For convenience, we have compiled all the results we obtained when testing the smartphone in the latest versions of popular benchmarks into tables. The table usually adds several other devices from different segments, also tested on similar latest versions of benchmarks (this is done only for a visual assessment of the obtained dry figures). Unfortunately, within the framework of one comparison it is impossible to present the results from different versions of benchmarks, so many worthy and relevant models remain “behind the scenes” - due to the fact that they once passed the “obstacle course” on previous versions of test programs.
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Testing the graphics subsystem in gaming tests 3DMark, GFXBenchmark and Bonsai Benchmark:
When testing in 3DMark, the most powerful smartphones now have the ability to run the application in Unlimited mode, where the rendering resolution is fixed at 720p and VSync is disabled (which can cause the speed to rise above 60 fps).
| Samsung Galaxy S8+ (Samsung Exynos 8895 Octa) |
LG G6 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 821) |
Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe (Qualcomm Snapdragon 820) |
Honor 8 Pro (HiSilicon Kirin 960) |
Meizu Pro 6 Plus (Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa) |
|
| 3DMark Ice Storm Sling Shot ES 3.1 (more is better) |
2628 | 2409 | 2676 | 1417 | 1869 |
| GFXBenchmark Manhattan ES 3.1 (Onscreen, fps) | 19 | 12 | 31 | 18 | 13 |
| GFXBenchmark Manhattan ES 3.1 (1080p Offscreen, fps) | 36 | 24 | 32 | 21 | 24 |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex (Onscreen, fps) | 57 | 38 | 59 | 46 | 52 |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex (1080p Offscreen, fps) | 103 | 61 | 92 | 57 | 71 |
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Browser cross-platform tests:
As for benchmarks for assessing the speed of the javascript engine, you should always make allowance for the fact that their results significantly depend on the browser in which they are launched, so the comparison can only be truly correct on the same OS and browsers, and this is possible during testing not always. For Android OS, we always try to use Google Chrome.
| Samsung Galaxy S8+ (Samsung Exynos 8895 Octa) |
LG G6 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 821) |
Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe (Qualcomm Snapdragon 820) |
Honor 8 Pro (HiSilicon Kirin 960) |
Meizu Pro 6 Plus (Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa) |
|
| Mozilla Kraken (ms, less is better) |
2535 | 2494 | 2931 | 3139 | 13047 |
| Google Octane 2 (more is better) |
9905 | 10036 | 9287 | 10155 | 3116 |
| SunSpider (ms, less is better) |
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Testing has traditionally been done at normal power consumption levels without using power-saving features. In the settings of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ you can find operating modes from high-performance to economical, the choice of which will affect many things, including brightness and even screen resolution.
Continuous reading in the Moon+ Reader program (with a standard, light theme) at a minimum comfortable brightness level (brightness was set to 100 cd/m²) with auto-scrolling lasted 21.5 hours until the battery was completely discharged, and when continuously watching videos in high quality (720p ) with the same brightness level via a home Wi-Fi network, the device operates for up to 14.5 hours. In 3D gaming mode, the smartphone can work for more than 5 hours.
The smartphone should support fast charging, but we were not able to test this because at the time of writing the review, there was no AC adapter included with the test unit. However, from a conventional charger (5 V 2 A) the device charges quite quickly, within about an hour and a half with a current of 1.75 A at a voltage of 5 V. Wireless charging (WPC and PMA) is also supported.
Bottom line
Prices for the Russian market are as follows: On April 28, the Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones went on sale in Russia at a recommended retail price of 54,990 and 59,990, respectively. It is not entirely clear why the difference in the cost of devices that are identical in functionality with a slight difference only in the size of the display and battery is as much as 5 thousand. Be that as it may, in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ for 60 thousand, the manufacturer offers one of the best smartphones in many respects, including camera quality, hardware platform performance and very advanced communication capabilities, in an attractive and very unusual case, as well as with a lot of additional functions, many of which, however, were also available in previous models of the series.
At the same time, it cannot be said that the smartphone has become some kind of breakthrough, a new word in the creation of mobile devices and is completely devoid of disadvantages. The single main camera, although it is one of the best on the market, still looks rather strange against the background of the general movement towards increasing the number of modules. We also cannot praise the sound of the main speaker: in terms of sound, the device is clearly inferior to the flagship smartphones of Apple and Huawei. The decision to move the fingerprint scanner to the back side, and even to such an unsuccessfully chosen place, was also very questionable. Well, we can’t help but recall the recent problems with the batteries of Samsung mobile devices catching fire, against the backdrop of which users may now be wary of immediately paying the very high price that the manufacturer asked for its new mobile products. And yet, interest in the flagship devices of the Korean company has not weakened, this is clear. Even those who had no intention of shelling out 60 thousand rubles for a smartphone are now eagerly discussing its capabilities on the Internet. However, something during the testing process remained undisclosed for us, since we did not have the final commercial sample in our hands. Most likely, we are still waiting, at a minimum, to meet with the Bixby assistant, which has been brought to life, as well as with camera firmware updates, which may well expand its already remarkable capabilities.
In conclusion, we suggest watching our video review of the Samsung Galaxy S8+ smartphone:
We also suggest watching our video review comparing the Samsung Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones:
Smartphone Samsung Galaxy S8 (Black) equipped with a 5.8-inch diagonal curved display on both sides. The case is protected from dust and moisture, this allows you to use the device even in the rain. An eight-core processor with a frequency of 2.3 GHz ensures fast operation of the model. A microSD memory card expands the possible storage capacity from 64 GB to 256 GB. The phone reproduces 16 million colors, so it displays a detailed picture. Control is carried out using touch keys or voice commands.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 (Black) smartphone reliably protects information from unauthorized persons, since unlocking occurs after identifying a fingerprint or iris. Due to the high resolution of the main (12 MP) and front (8 MP) cameras, clear and realistic pictures, selfies and videos are obtained. The arsenal includes proximity, magnetic field and atmospheric pressure sensors. The screen brightness is automatically adjusted based on the level of illumination. Thanks to MS Office support, the user can edit documents directly on the phone itself. Without recharging at peak loads, the model operates up to 20 hours.
Smartphone without borders
The Samsung Galaxy S8 redefines the classic smartphone design. The limitless* dual-curved screen highlights the harmony of style and innovation.
* No side frames in the front plane of the screen.
Boundless screen
The main design feature is the almost complete absence of side frames and the rounded edges of the screen. Thanks to its symmetrical design and ergonomics, it will be comfortable to use even with one hand.
Dual Pixel* camera that does it all and more
Capture memorable moments with the Samsung Galaxy S8 camera! Photo quality is comparable to professional ones, whether you're shooting on the move, day or night.
* Dual pixel. Professional SLR camera technology.
The most reliable data protection
The iris scanner* in the Samsung Galaxy S8 provides a high level of convenience and security. The technology allows you to reliably protect personal data, as well as easily unlock your smartphone.
* The quality of iris recognition may deteriorate from direct exposure to sunlight, or when wearing glasses or contact lenses.
Extended capabilities
Smartphones are equipped with the latest 10nm processor, ensuring fast operation with minimal battery consumption. Expandable memory will allow you to save all your movies, music and photos. And thanks to protection against water and dust (IP68), you will stay connected even in the rain.
*Withstands 30 minutes of immersion in fresh water to a depth of 1.5 m.
Smart Switch Data Transfer
Transfer everything you need from your old smartphone to your new Samsung Galaxy S8 using the OTG adapter included in the package.
Samsung Galaxy S8 is, without exaggeration, beautiful and original. It stands out among its classmates due to its combination of body materials and smooth contours.
To begin with, it’s worth saying that despite the 5.8-inch diagonal, its dimensions cannot be called large: 148.9 × 68.1 × 8.1 mm. Compared to its predecessor, the smartphone has become 6 mm higher, a little at the same, but the thickness has remained virtually unchanged. At the same time, the weight of the device has even decreased slightly: 149.4 grams of the hero of our review versus 152 grams for the Galaxy S7. In short, nothing unusual if we consider the dimensions in isolation from the rest. However, it is not.
Almost the entire space (about 84%) of the front panel is occupied by the display, the diagonal of which has grown to 5.8 inches, and the aspect ratio is now 18.5:9 instead of the usual 16:9. The screen of the device is curved on the sides, and its corners are rounded. Coupled with its size, this creates a real “wow” effect. Unfortunately, there are no frames at all here, albeit very thin ones. Above the display are the earpiece, front camera and light sensor. The navigation keys, instead of the usual location below the screen, moved directly to the screen.
The back of the gadget is also curved on the sides. On it there is a flash with a set of sensors, a camera and a fingerprint sensor in a row. The placement of the latter is frankly unfortunate - the finger constantly hits the camera, leaving fingerprints on it.
On the right side of the device you can see the volume buttons and the activation key for the Bixby voice assistant. The power button is located on the left side. The nanoSIM slot is now located on the top edge of the smartphone, where you can also find an additional microphone. At the bottom end there is a mini-Jack connector, USB Type-C, a microphone hole and slots for a music speaker.
In general, the layout of the controls is convenient, and the size of the device allows for a comfortable grip. The front and back panels are covered with tempered Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with an oleophobic coating. The phone does not slip in your hands, but it gets dirty very easily, so you will have to wipe the device often. The almost complete absence of frames looks impressive, but in landscape orientation there is a high chance of touching the edges of the screen with your finger, causing an unwanted action in the application. However, if compared with, then using a regular “eight” is much more convenient - you don’t have to stretch your fingers often and far.
As usual, the smartphone is protected from liquids according to the IP68 standard. This means that the smartphone will survive immersion in water to a depth of one meter for half an hour.
You can buy the Samsung Galaxy S8 in Russia in several colors: black, purple and yellow. Three more colors are available overseas: grey, gold and blue.
Screen - 4.7
Working with text - 5.0
The Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with its own keyboard pre-installed. It is quite convenient for working with text and supports continuous input.
Among the interesting settings is the ability to change its size and the location of additional symbols. One of the disadvantages is that the standard layout only supports entering letters; to enter a comma, you will have to open the layout with symbols.
Internet - 3.0
Surfing the Internet on a smartphone is very convenient. The elongated screen holds a large amount of information, and the amount of RAM allows you to keep a couple of dozen tabs open.
To view web pages, two browsers are preinstalled - Google Chrome and its own browser called Internet. They differ somewhat in functionality. Chrome is synchronized with the desktop version and supports traffic compression, and Samsung's browser can save pages for offline reading.
Communications - 5.0
Samsung Galaxy S8 received the most modern set of communications:
- dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac with Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot
- Bluetooth 5.0 (up to 2 Mbit/s) with A2DP and aptX
- NFC with support for Samsung Pay and Android Pay
- GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and the latest GALILEO
- USB 3.1 Type-C
- gyroscope
- barometer
- accelerometer
The only thing missing from the “complete mincemeat” is FM radio and an infrared port. I'm glad that the mini-Jack connector has been preserved, while many flagships of 2017, for example, lost it. The slot for SIM cards is combined with a slot for memory cards, which poses an eternal dilemma for owners of a dual-SIM modification - two nanoSIM or nanoSIM + microSD.
Multimedia - 4.0
The smartphone is generously endowed with a variety of multimedia functions.
Out of the box, a large number of video file formats are supported; the smartphone stumbles only on videos with AC-3 and DTS. The built-in video player is rich in various options. So, it can output sound without a picture, play video in a small window on top of running applications, and also has video editor functionality.
There is nothing bad to say about the sound quality, although the smartphone does have its own quirks. The built-in “enhancer” from Samsung has many settings: an equalizer, a special mode for restoring sound quality for mp3, and adjusting the frequency range to suit your hearing. At the same time, it’s strange that it’s not possible to completely disable the “improvers” - such an option is simply not provided. However, the quality of the audio path is good, the amplifier can handle almost any.
The quality of the single music speaker is average. It’s a pity that there are no stereo speakers; after all, the diagonal of the display is conducive to watching videos. The maximum volume of the call melody is 69 dB - for comparison, it operates at the same volume while spinning clothes.
Performance - 4.7
The performance of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is quite high, thanks to which it has become one of our leaders. Its power is sufficient for any games and applications.
In Russia, the Galaxy S8 is sold with the following characteristics:
- Exynos 8895 Octa processor (four cores at 2.3 GHz and four more at 1.7 GHz)
- 4 GB RAM
- Mali-G71 MP20 graphics accelerator.
In everyday use, the interface simply flies, but freezes occur from time to time. This is especially true when activating the Bixby assistant. Most likely a software update will fix this problem, but for now, that is. There is no lack of power in games and resource-intensive applications; Injustice 2 and World of Tanks work flawlessly. Synthetic tests showed the following results:
- Geekbench 4 (processor test) - 6051 points, slightly less than Xiaomi Mi6;
- Ice Storm Unlimited from 3DMark (graphics) - 29736, four thousand more than;
- AnTuTu 6 (mixed test) - 172388 points, more than .
Note that despite the high performance, heating during prolonged use is small - no more than 38 degrees. This temperature does not cause any discomfort.
Battery - 3.7
The autonomy of the Samsung Galaxy S8 can be called high - it is confidently enough for a full day of active use. Considering the large screen and powerful processor, the result is excellent.
The battery capacity is quite modest by modern standards - 3000 mAh. Nevertheless, the smartphone shows good results in tests. Watching a video on the brightest screen drained the device in just over 11 hours, and at a brightness of 200 nits - in 15 hours. Playing music non-stop at a comfortable volume level consumed the charge in 53 hours, which is unexpectedly low. The same Galaxy S7 lasted 85 hours in similar conditions, and played video longer. A conversation on a 3G network will drain a smartphone's battery in 22 hours.
With moderate use, including up to two hours of watching online videos, chatting in instant messengers and social networks, a couple of hours of listening to music and about an hour of talking, the device can last more than three days.
Of course, the Samsung flagship is equipped with fast charging. It charges from 10 to 100% in 96 minutes. We also note the Always-on-Display function. Thanks to it, even on a locked screen, various information and notifications are always displayed. It consumes about 1% charge per hour in standby mode, which for a full day will result in 24% battery charge.
Memory - 5.0
Galaxy S8 is equipped with 64 GB of internal memory. This volume is enough for most needs: installing applications and games, a small number of pictures and videos. If this does not seem enough to you, then it is possible to install microSD memory cards up to 256 GB.
Peculiarities
Out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is installed with a proprietary interface from the manufacturer. It has a number of interesting features.
Let's start with the security options. In addition to the already familiar fingerprint sensor, the smartphone can scan the iris of the eyes. This happens slower than reading a fingerprint; after all, the function is still crude. The smartphone can also remember the owner’s face. Having remembered you, it will automatically activate the screen when you look at it. True, this will not work in low light conditions or if you simply did not get enough sleep.
There is an Edge panel on the desktop, which can be called up by swiping from the edge of the screen. It provides quick access to the data buffer and contacts, also has shortcuts for launching applications and an advanced menu for taking screenshots.
If you scroll the desktop by swiping from left to right or pressing a special button, the Bixby digital assistant will launch. Currently, it can display a selection of current news, weather and events from the calendar. The possibility of voice control, like in Google Assistant, is expected, but so far this functionality does not work in Russia.
Another feature is the Game Launcher. This is a special application for launching games. It allows you to adjust the performance of your smartphone for a specific game, and can also record video of gameplay.
Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are the first major new products from Samsung after the failure of the Galaxy Note 7. It was already clear from pre-orders that the Galaxy S8 will become one of the best-selling smartphones of 2017, although it is $100 (5,700 rubles) more expensive than the S7.
Cool smartphone Samsung Galaxy S8 - Reviews
The Galaxy S7 Edge also has impressive capabilities, and it costs $400 (22,500 rubles). Should you pay $750 (42,200) for the new Galaxy S8? I think so - not only because of the better screen, but also the high build quality, stylish design with powerful performance. Let's take a closer look at the new Samsung flagship.
The surface of the Galaxy S8 smartphone is smooth and soft to the touch, thanks to the use of glass in the design, there is no gap between the back and front panels.
The screens of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus have a resolution of 2960x1440 pixels, the image is very clear. The Super AMOLED display is highly bright and color accuracy is guaranteed with HDR Premium certification. This is the best screen we've ever seen on a smartphone. The edges of the display are rounded, with minimal bezels at the top and bottom. The screen occupies 83% of the front panel.
The diagonal of the Galaxy S8 Plus is 6.2 inches, the S8 has 5.8 inches. On large screens, even using email is convenient, but the frameless design takes some getting used to - while testing the S8 Plus, at first I constantly activated the screen when I picked up the smartphone.
The all-glass design makes Galaxy S8 smartphones slippery, fragile and prone to fingerprints. You have to keep a microfiber cloth on hand at all times for cleaning.
The power button is located on the right side of the device, while the dual volume rocker and Bixby voice assistant button are on the left. For the first time, Samsung has not added a Home button to the front panel.
The headphone jack is located at the bottom, to the left of the USB Type-C port. Also, at the bottom there is a single speaker, which has the same problem as the Google Pixel and LG G6 - it is covered with your hand when using the smartphone in landscape mode. The sound quality is good, but the iPhone 7 sounds louder.
The back is not as impressive as the front, and is almost no different from the Galaxy S7. The camera is located next to the flash, heart rate sensor and fingerprint scanner. Both versions are thin, pleasant to the touch and have excellent build quality, although the S8 is smaller, making it easier to hold in your hand.
Features and Features
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are powered by an Exynos 8895 processor with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded thanks to a MicroSD card slot.
I got a Galaxy S8 that kept freezing, especially when opening the notification tray and recent apps section. A factory reset fixed the problem and everything worked as it should, but everyone should be prepared for this.
The games Asphalt Xtreme and FIFA Mobile never froze, although Dawn of Titans lagged at some points, but this happened rarely. Applications launch quickly and easily, and multitasking allows you to use several programs at the same time.
In the benchmark, the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus surpassed the Google Pixel in performance, and in some respects they were better than the iPhone 7 Plus.
While the initial issues have passed and we've enjoyed the smooth performance of the Galaxy S8, Samsung obviously won't be able to push out updates and optimize the performance of its new smartphones as quickly as Google and Apple do.
operating system
The Samsung Galaxy S8 has a stylish and user-friendly user interface, with icons evenly spaced and fonts easy to read.
The absence of a physical Home button gives the smartphone a more modern look. In its place is an area of the screen that, when pressed and held, will take you to the home screen from any application. The navigation icons can be swapped, placing the Back button on the left and Recent Apps on the right. This is how they are located on most Android smartphones.
There are many options for changing the interface: adjust the screen resolution, turn on and off the use of edges, change the position of the brightness slider on the notification panel, activate the LED indicator, and so on. The Galaxy S8 has many useful features to suit every taste. For example, Smart Stay allows you to keep the screen backlit only when you're looking at it.
Multitasking is better here than on any other Android phone - using the split screen, you can move application windows as you like, or launch Picture in Picture mode and place one on top of the other.
The Galaxy S8 is the first smartphone to use Bluetooth 5, with 4x the range of Bluetooth 4.2 and 8x the bandwidth (2x the data transfer speed). This means you can move 200 meters away (with line of sight) from your smartphone and still listen to music via Bluetooth headphones. In addition, you can now stream music to 2 different Bluetooth devices at the same time.
Samsung's facial recognition technology doesn't work 100% of the time, especially in low light, but it's still faster and more reliable than a fingerprint sensor. An iris scanner is also available on the Galaxy S8, although it's not as powerful.
The worst performer is the fingerprint sensor in the new S8 series. The scanner is difficult to reach on the Galaxy S8 Plus, and you won’t be able to use it to control your smartphone, as is now fashionable. The Samsung Galaxy S8 sensor is located close to the camera, so users will often get confused and touch it by mistake. Samsung is aware of this issue and advises cleaning the camera more often, but this could have been avoided by simply placing the fingerprint scanner below, as is done on almost all other smartphones.
The main 12-megapixel camera hasn't changed much compared to the S7. Given enough lighting, the Galaxy S8 takes high-quality photos with accurate colors. If there is not enough light, sometimes the clarity decreases, but as a rule, even in the dark, the photos turn out to be of high quality.
Unfortunately, Samsung hasn't added anything new to the regular camera, such as a second lens. There are still several modes to choose from, including Selective Focus and Panorama. In Pro mode, you can change the shutter speed, focus and ISO.
More impressive is the 8-megapixel front camera, which has a lot of fun filters and masks, like in Snapchat. By rotating the camera to the sides in Wide Selfie mode, you can “stitch” pictures into one, taking a panoramic selfie.
Samsung Voice Assistant
Samsung's new digital assistant is disappointing; the first version doesn't even support voice command recognition. The only functions available are Bixby Home, Reminder and Vision.
Home displays a variety of information, such as your current pedometer reading, upcoming calendar events, weather forecast, and trending Twitter posts. But, in practice, it’s easier and faster to look at the corresponding applications separately, since the Bixby button is too slow and unreliable.
Reminders is an analogue of reminders in Google Inbox or Google Assistant. Assistant can still be used by pressing and holding the on-screen Home button.
The most useful feature is Vision. Augmented reality technology allows you to receive information about different objects in real time. For example, you can point your camera at a pair of shoes and find out how much they cost on Amazon.
Samsung has promised a lot, but at the moment Bixby is an unfinished service.
Battery Samsung Galaxy S8
The Galaxy S8 Plus uses a 3,500 mAh battery, the Galaxy S8 – 3,000 mAh. By the end of the day, with intensive use (watching streaming videos, listening to music, filming videos, etc.) both smartphones will be discharged up to 25%. Under normal load, they are discharged to 40% in the evening.
Fast wireless charging is supported via the USB Type-C connector - a new standard that not everyone has gotten used to yet.
Bottom line
Samsung Galaxy S8 is a smartphone with high build quality, excellent screen and camera. The battery is standard, designed for 1 day of operation. The Bixby voice assistant is still terrible, but you can turn it off and use Google Assistant.
There are plenty of decent smartphones that cost less than the S8 and S8 Plus - Google Pixel, LG G6 and iPhone 7 - but none have such a high-quality display. It's worth considering buying the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus when you're aiming for the top-end smartphones and are willing to pay $750 (42,200 rubles) or more.
Advantages
- Gorgeous display
- High build quality
- Cool Features
- Improved user interface
- Waterproof
Do you often go on business trips and don’t want to overpay for communications? There is no need to buy a new SIM card with an unknown number to your colleagues, now you can make/receive calls over Wi-Fi at the price of calls in Russia for both you and the caller.
With the Samsung Galaxy S8's infinity* screen, you'll see the world from a whole new perspective. We've rethought every detail to create a bezel-free screen for an immersive experience. The smartphone is simply created for colorful photos, widescreen videos and exciting games.
* No side frames in the front plane of the screen.
Boundless screen
Featuring an edge-to-edge* dual-curved display, the Samsung Galaxy S8 delivers immersive widescreen videos with Super AMOLED technology for vibrant, rich colors.
Unlimited View
With Samsung Galaxy S8 you can see even more! 18% more viewable content* in a compact design.
* Content display area compared to previous Galaxy S series flagships.
Harmony and grace of forms
The curved screen on both sides of the Samsung Galaxy S8 perfectly harmonizes with the elegant body of the smartphone, creating a unique and elegant design.
Limitless convenience
Whichever diagonal – 5.8” or 6.2” – you choose, thanks to the symmetrical design and ergonomics, you will be comfortable using the smartphone even with one hand.
Multitasking
The larger screen of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is ideal for multitasking. Chat with friends while watching your favorite movie. All you need to do is just open the chat in multitasking mode.
Virtual button
The Home, Back and Recent Apps buttons are now virtual and moved to the screen. When pressed, they respond similarly to classic ones, but have more advanced functionality.
Interesting moments in life often happen unexpectedly. Now you can take photos without worrying about shooting conditions. Whether it's performing tricks on a skateboard or blowing out candles on a birthday cake, photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy S8 | S8+ will always be clear, bright and vibrant.
Perfect selfies
Take bright, clear selfies wherever you are. The front camera (8 MP) is equipped with a fast lens for perfect selfies even at night, and also supports intelligent autofocus with face detection.
Shooting in the dark
Interesting moments in life often happen unexpectedly. More often we are in a room with artificial lighting. With Samsung Galaxy S8 you don't have to worry. Fast lenses (F1.7) and larger sensor pixels (1.4 microns) capture much more light, making it possible to take clear, detailed photos.
Dual Pixel technology
Dual Pixel technology ensures autofocus is so fast and flawless that you can capture even the sharpest movements in low-light conditions.
Multi-frame shooting
Even if you shoot moving subjects in low light or extreme close-ups, your photos will turn out bright and clear. The camera will take several photos and combine them into one to achieve the best quality.
Be a pro
Taking professional-quality photos is now possible with the Samsung Galaxy S8. All you need to do is swipe left, activate Pro mode and configure the camera depending on your tasks.
Focus on what's important
Give your photos more charm! By controlling the depth of field, you can draw more attention to the main subject while blurring the secondary one a little.
Samsung Galaxy S8 guarantees uncompromising data protection. The iris scanner will reliably protect all your personal information. Now you don’t have to worry about the safety of your data if your smartphone falls into the wrong hands.
Iris scanner
The iris scanner is one of the most secure biometric identification systems available on smartphones. Unlike a fingerprint scanner, the iris cannot be duplicated because it has a unique pattern. You can be sure that your personal information will be reliably protected.
Three secure unlocking methods
Tired of constantly keeping multiple passwords or PIN codes in your head? Samsung Galaxy S8 offers three convenient ways to unlock your smartphone.
- Iris scanner. Unlock in an instant - simply focus on highlighted areas on the screen to scan your iris.
- Face recognition. To unlock, simply bring your smartphone to your face as if you were taking a selfie.
- Fingerprint scanner. The fingerprint scanner has been moved to the back of the smartphone so that you can conveniently and naturally unlock your smartphone as soon as you pick it up.
Even more features came with the Samsung Galaxy S8 | S8+. Smartphones are equipped with protection from water and dust, as well as a powerful processor created using 10nm technology. Expandable memory will allow you to save your movies, music, photos. And with a new high-capacity battery, you no longer need to constantly worry about charging.
Incredibly powerful
Samsung Galaxy S8 is equipped with the latest 10nm processor, ensuring fast operation of the smartphone with the lowest power consumption. Enjoy exciting and graphically flawless games!
Download and transfer large files from Samsung Galaxy S8. With support for Wi-Fi 1024-QAM and LTE Cat. 16, it was possible to increase the download speed by 20% both over a Wi-Fi network and using the mobile Internet.
New level of games
Experience complete immersion with an infinite screen. Enjoy graphically challenging games with Vulkan support.
Rich sound
A gift for music lovers: excellent sound at all frequencies and protection from extraneous external noise will allow you to fully enjoy your favorite tracks.
Works even in the rain
Samsung Galaxy S8 has an IP68 protection standard, so you can safely use it in the rain or take it to the pool.
Equipped to the maximum
Separating work and personal life, deleting old content because there is not enough memory? Choose what is convenient for you: a slot for a 2nd SIM card or a memory card with a capacity of up to 256 GB.
Always in touch
Thanks to the powerful processor of the Samsung Galaxy S8 | S8+ work quickly and smoothly, processing every bit of data with confidence. Despite the increased battery capacity, the smartphone charges quickly both wired and wireless.
Fast wireless charging
Simply place your smartphone on the wireless charger and charging will start automatically.
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