Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+: Beautiful Phones with So Many Features

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Today, Samsung announced their new Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, which will be available starting April 21; pre-orders start on March 30th with an exclusive offer. The GS8 will have a 5.8″ infinity display, and the GS8+ will have a 6.2″ infinity display and a Snapdragon A35 processor.

Don’t the phones look similar to the S7 Edge? That’s a good thing.

I had a chance to go hands-on with each phone, and I have to say that it’s amazing to me that the S8+ has a 6.2″ screen; it’s only slightly taller than my iPhone 7 Plus, and yet it is substantially less wide; it fits much better in my hand.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ on the left with iPhone 7 Plus on the right.

Probably the first thing that you’ll notice about both phones is that they are a similar style to the S7 Edge, a phone that I liked so much that I bought it the first day they were available. There is no longer an Edge version available, as the S8 models both use what Samsung calls an Infinity Display to make a near bezel-less phone viewing experience. It’s beautiful.

The result is a large display, not a large phone. The compact design enables comfortable one-handed operation and features Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 on both the front and back.

Both phones feel (and look) amazing in hand.

Some of the features found in the new S8 line include:

  • Premium Camera: The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are equipped with an advanced 8MP F1.7 Smart autofocus front camera and 12MP F1.7 Dual Pixel rear camera for the best low-light, zoom, and anti-blur photos with enhanced image processing1.
  • Powerful Performance: Packing powerful performance and connectivity, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ feature the industry’s first 10 nm chip, enabling heightened speed and efficiency.
  • Robust Entertainment: As the world’s first mobile device certified by the UHD Alliance as MOBILE HDR PREMIUM, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ let you see much richer colors and more immersive experiences while watching your favorite shows. In addition, the devices offer next-level gaming experiences with vivid and superior graphic technology, as well as Game Pack featuring top game titles, including select titles supported by the Vulkan API.
  • Mobile Security: Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are built on Samsung Knox, a defense-grade security platform. In addition, the devices will offer a selection of biometric authentication, including a fingerprint scanner and iris scanner, so users can select the method that works best for them.

Even better, you’ll find that the S8s also have IP68 water and dust resistance, MicroSD support up to 256GB, always-on displays, and fast and wireless charging capabilities.

One of the cool new features will be Bixby, Samsung’s new intelligent interface. Using the Bixby button, you’ll be able to access Bixby to “navigate through services and apps with simple voice, touch, and text commands.” Bixby has contextual awareness capability, which means that it can “offer personalized help based on what it continues to learn about the user’s interests, situation, and location.” You’ll be able to “shop, search for images and get details about nearby places with Bixby’s image recognition technology.”

With the new DeX dock, you can even set the GS8 or GS8+ up with a keyboard and monitor to turn the phone into a desktop computer.

Leveraging the processing power of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ for enhanced productivity, Samsung DeX is a unique solution that transforms these Android-based smartphones into secure desktops. With DeX, users can easily display and edit data from their phone, making working from a smartphone on the go faster and smarter.

Samsung is also pushing Samsung Connect, which will allow you to manage and control all of your smart home devices from miles away.

In addition, Samsung Connect simplifies smart IoT device management. With Samsung Connect, users can easily activate Samsung and SmartThings IoT-enabled devices through a quick three-step configuration process and manage all connected devices through one integrated app.

Here’s a list of the full specifications for Galaxy S8 and S8+:

As I mentioned, you can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ starting on March 30th. If you pre-order, you will receive a free Gear VR headset with Controller and Oculus content. “A limited-edition premium bundle which adds a 256GB memory card and Bluetooth headphones by AKG will also be available for $99. Additionally, consumers who purchase Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ will be eligible for Platinum Experience Status with Samsung Rewards. These promotions will last for a limited time and only while supplies last. Terms and conditions apply. Visit https://samsungpromotions.com/ and samsung.com/platinumexperience for more information.”

In the U.S., the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ will be available in Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, and Arctic Silver. Pre-orders for both Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ will begin at 12:01 EDT on March 30, 2017. AT&T, Cricket Wireless, Sprint, Straight Talk Wireless, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless will carry the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ in stores beginning April 21.

To learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, visit the Samsung Site.

 

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She started in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie is best known for her device-agnostic approach, deep-dive reviews, and enjoyment of exploring the latest tech, gadgets, and gear.