To put it straight, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are truly gorgeous handsets. Though this only feels like the logical next step in the S-series evolution, you can’t help but gasp when you examine the new S8/S8+ for the first time. But, there are no perfect smartphones and there has to be something wrong with the Galaxy S8 too. Right?
Well, we did spend a quality time with the new S-series flagships yesterday and got to test what works and what doesn’t.
Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ Specifications
| Model | Samsung Galaxy S8 | Samsung Galaxy S8+ |
| Display | 5.8-inch Quad HD+ (2960 × 1440 pixels), AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 5, HDR 10 | 6.2-inch Quad HD+ (2960 × 1440 pixels), AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 5, HDR 10 |
| Processor | Octa-Core Samsung Exynos 9 Series 8895 processor | Octa-Core Samsung Exynos 9 Series 8895 processor |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Internal Storage | 64GB | 64GB |
| Base Software | Android Nougat | Android Nougat |
| Primary Camera | 12MP Dual Pixel rear camera with LED Flash, f/1.7 aperture | 12MP Dual Pixel rear camera with LED Flash, f/1.7 aperture |
| Secondary Camera | 8MP, F/1.7 aperture | 8MP, F/1.7 aperture |
| Dimensions and Weight | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0mm and 152 grams | 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1mm and 173 grams |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh, fast charging | 3,500 mAh, fast charging |
| Others | 4G VoLTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack, Iris scanner, Fingerprint sensor | 4G VoLTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack, Iris scanner, Fingerprint sensor |
| Starting Price | Rs. 57,900 | Rs. 64,900 |
That beautiful Infinity display
The Galaxy S8 occupies about the same space as the rather compact iPhone 7 but, surprisingly, has a significantly bigger screen. Moreover, this gorgeous QHD AMOLED panel runs edge to edge and is adorned by subtle curves on both sides. The new Samsung Experience UI has been optimized to ensure that all apps you open scale perfectly.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 To Sports Dual Rear Cameras? Yes! Says Renowned KGI Analyst
We tried every which way to test if the display will have annoying accidental touches (which was an issue on our S7 and S7 edge) but looks like the software is now smarter and more dextrous at avoiding such inadvertent interruptions.
We have to admit that the Galaxy S8 feels more convenient to handle than the Galaxy S7 even while accommodating a significantly bigger display.
Raw power to smoothly drive a PC
Beneath that dainty body, the new Samsung S-series phones house enough raw power to drive a smooth desktop experience. We did try opening multiple apps at once on the LCD monitor using SamsungDex and everything ran surprisingly well. Of course, we didn’t have high graphic games to push S8 to its limits, but there is no reason to be skeptical since the Samsung is using one of the best contemporary chipsets for both the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.
The camera
Another feature that makes Samsung Galaxy S8 easy to recommend is its camera. Samsung is passing on incremental improvement to last years dual focus pixel sensor and that’s fine. Samsung’s software algorithms make the camera capable of handling tricky lighting better than any other phone out there.
Moreover, the selfie camera on the front gets AF and can detect multiple faces. This makes clicking selfies a terrific experience on the new Galaxy S8.
The invisible home button
Since most of the fascia is encroached upon by the display, Samsung didn’t have much leeway to accommodate the navigation bar, home button or the fingerprint sensor.
Consequently, the navigation buttons have been moved on screen, but the home button still punctuates with a gratifying haptic feedback. Only if it had an invisible fingerprint sensor too, just as the Xiaomi Mi 6.
Also Read: Xiaomi Mi 6 – 5 Things You Should Know About It
Retains the Audio Jack
If there ever was a phone pressed for space, it would be the new Galaxy S duo. And Samsung still managed to fit in a 3.5mm audio jack. Something that users actually care about.
Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay is a Samsung exclusive advantage in India. Due to lack of NFC terminals, Android Pay and Apple Pay won’t be as ubiquitous in India anytime soon, but Samsung overcomes this limitation by integrating MST technology that enables you to use Samsung Pay at any terminal that accepts card swipes.
And with Paytm and UPI integration, it feels like a complete mobile payment solution.
Also Read: Samsung Pay India FAQ – What You Should Know Before Using It
What’s not so great about Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus
Fingerprint sensor
The fingerprint sensor is situated at the absolute worst place. After all those years when we had finally made up our minds that the front is where the fingerprint reader belongs, the rear placement feels totally unjust.
And when it’s positioned next to the rear camera and you know you will be smudging the lens every now and then, you simply won’t be using it very often (if at all).
At the same time, Samsung has added alternates like Iris scanner and face recognition which work fine most of the time (except for when you are in motion).
Also Read: Best Design Android Phones Under 30,000 INR
Mono Speaker
Samsung’s new flagships have tiny mono speakers at the bottom, just as last year. Now, this isn’t a deal breaker by any yardstick, but we were simply expecting more in terms of audio. Space limitations obviously weighed in here. The AKG earphones bundled in the Galaxy S8 box make up for the loss – to an extent, that is.
