The appearance of the new flagship Samsung Galaxy s8 before a wide audience was expected by many. According to the manufacturer, the model was supposed to change the way users think about a mobile phone. Therefore, many made a wide variety of assumptions. For example, users expected dual cameras and new hardware platform indicators. Many of the assumptions came true. However, the most striking and unexpected highlight was the design, the new screen format and the methods for fitting it into a fairly compact body. The Samsung Galaxy c8 was truly the first of the most recognizable devices on the market.
The following table shows the main characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy s8.
| CPU | Eight-core Exynos Octa 8895, 10 nm process technology, proprietary Samsung |
| GP | MaliG71-MP20 |
| RAM/ROM | 4 GB/64 GB, in selected markets – 3 GB/64 GB |
| SuperAMOLED, 5/8 inches, 579 ppi, 2960x1140 pixels | |
| Cameras | 12.2 MP main, flash, optical + software stabilization 8 MP front, software stabilization, panning |
| Connection | GSM, HSPA |
| Data | 3G, 4G LTE |
| Wireless technologies | WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0 with the ability to connect 2 devices, ANT+, NFC |
| Sensors | Heart rate, proximity, light, accelerometer, compass, barometer, fingerprint, face scanner, retina scanner, Hall sensor |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5, IP68 water and dust resistant |
The phone has dimensions of 149x68x8 mm (height, width, thickness), is made of glass and metal, and weighs 155 g.
Design and ergonomics
The first thing that catches your eye when looking at the Samsung Galaxy 8 is its unique screen. The manufacturing company named the smartphone model with infinity display, and indeed it is. The Galaxy s8 has minimal bezels, maximum free display area, and a unique shape with rounded edges. The smartphone really looks stylish, expensive, it is recognizable and original.
The device body is made around a power aluminum frame. It is made deliberately thin to highlight the unusual shape of the edge-to-edge display. The front panel has undergone the biggest changes compared to other C-line devices. Here no buttons at the bottom. Thin lines slightly limit the working space of the display. The navigation buttons are now located directly on the screen, which was easy to do given its huge size.
Samsung Galaxy s8
The arrangement of control elements and interfaces on the edges of the Galaxy s8 is quite familiar to users who prefer Samsung products.
On the back panel there is a camera block, next to which there is a flash and a heart rate sensor. Here, on the lid, they moved Fingerprint's scanner. Its location on the top may make you think about the difficulties of touch. However, reviews from owners say that this is not true. You can easily reach the scanner and it is quite convenient to do this, unlike the Samsung Galaxy s8+ model.
The most interesting thing is the set of sensors on the top line of the front panel of the phone. Here, in addition to the expected, well-disguised earpiece, there are no less familiar camera eyes and a light sensor. The functionality of the latter has been expanded; now it also works as an RGB color detector. New element in the top line of the front panel — IRIS recognition scanner. Its resolution is 3.7 megapixels, which, coupled with special IR illumination, made it possible to achieve high speed and accuracy of owner identification.
Another feature that the Samsung Galaxy s8 smartphone boasts is maximum protection against water and dust according to the IP68 standard. The model works even with long-term immersion in water, but the manufacturer does not state the depth to which the device can be placed. However, with average use, extreme tests are not required; it is enough that the Samsung Galaxy s8 operates reliably even under a continuous stream of water.
The glass from which the body is made has high-quality oleophobic coating in the display area. There are practically no fingerprints left on it, and any that appear can be removed without any difficulty. The situation with the back cover is a little worse. Here the coverage is of lower quality, leaving more prints. Accuracy will not help much here: it is on the back surface that the fingerprint scanner is located, which you need to reach for quite often.
Important! As some owner reviews indicate, Samsung Galaxy s8 smartphones can be scratched if carried in the same pocket with change and keys. This applies primarily to the back cover. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a suitable case; fortunately, Samsung offers a wide range of such products with a wide variety of characteristics.
From the description of the screen you can make a full review of the Samsung Galaxy s8. This is a kind of business card, the face of the model’s style. The display uses a SuperAMOLED matrix with a diagonal of 5.8 inches. Such an impressive size, unexpectedly for many users, did not lead to an increase in the dimensions of the model. Minimal frames, rounded edges, a rising format - all this made it possible to ensure that the Galaxy 8 phone is smaller in size than any product with a 16:9 screen format. In addition, the display has a resolution of 2960x1440 pixels (570 pixels per inch) with aspect ratio 18.5:9. This unusual format made it possible to achieve a slight decrease in the viewing area with an extremely small increase in the dimensions of the device.
Important! Using a device with such an unusual display is convenient. If you review the Galaxy s8, focusing on ease of manipulation, you can find many positive reviews from owners. Even the very top of the screen is easy to reach.
The non-standard display format explains why Samsung chose this utilitarian and neutral design of horizontal stripes on the front panel of the device. Some games when stretched to full screen are not scaled correctly. To prevent this from happening, the size of the working window is measured so that it occupies the entire width of the display. At the same time, black stripes remain at the top and bottom, which are concealed by the design of the panel and become invisible.
The usual ones for the C series are also present. matrix illumination settings. The user is offered the following modes:
- adaptive, with automatic adjustment of color tone and backlight depending on external conditions;
- AMOLED cinema with a lower brightness limit;
- AMOLED photo with balancing of parameters depending on the screen output;
- basic, with user-settable settings for color tone and display brightness.
Important! The screen resolution can be changed manually. There is also an eye protection mode when reading with suppression of the blue component of the spectrum. You can set up a work schedule for it.
The screen as a whole shows excellent color gamut and display authenticity. This smartphone managed to neutralize the main problem of AMOLED displays with shift of the spectrum to blue at borderline viewing angles. As a result, images on the Samsung Galaxy s8 screen look almost perfect.
Hardware platform
The heart of the Galaxy S8 computing platform is the Exynos 8895 processor from Samsung. This is a chip made using a 10 nm process technology. Eight CPU cores operating in fours show excellent performance.
Lag-free graphics processing even in high-demand games is thanks to the top-end MaliG71-MP20 processor. It is 20% faster than the chip in the well-performing Galaxy S7. In principle, the C8 platform does not have any performance problems. Even the most demanding games run with maximum graphics settings. For example, high-level tests with Car Chase show rendering as high as 768.7 frames per second.
3 GB, and for some versions 4 GB of RAM, allow the Galaxy S8 to serve two running applications simultaneously. At the same time, the processor platform shows not only balanced power consumption, but also low heat generation. There are no noticeably hot areas on the case even at maximum load.
Autonomy
The Samsung Galaxy s8 model was the first in the company's series of products to receive a more thoroughly tested battery controlled by an improved algorithm. The battery capacity is 3000 mAh. The device shows impressive battery life characteristics compared to its predecessors. Of course, we are far from reaching records, but the positive trend is obvious.
When playing full-screen FullHD video with maximum volume, backlight brightness Samsung Galaxy s8 open until 19:00. With normal use, with modems turned on, messengers running, calls and 4 hours of screen activity, the device operates for up to a day and a half.
The periods of operation measured by the owners from one battery are as follows (Works 2.0 PCMark test, with a display brightness of 200 cd/sq.m, with processor load):
- Screen resolution 1480x720 - 9 hours of operation;
- resolution 2200x1080 - 8 hours of operation;
- The maximum display resolution is 7 hours.
These are very good results for a synthetic test. In practice, users note that with reasonable configuration of energy-saving modes, it is easy to get the Samsung Galaxy s8 to work for two days with a total display luminosity time of up to 8 hours.
Important! The system supports two wireless charging formats. This is very convenient for those who use several devices at the same time. Fast charging mode is supported for both wired and wireless ways to recharge the battery.
Cameras
The general opinion of testers and device owners is that the Samsung Galaxy s8 model takes even better quality pictures than its predecessor, the Galaxy s7. And this is with the same installed camera sensors. These are truly advanced products that are capable of confident shooting in the dark thanks to a reduction in the physical dimensions of the matrix pixels, focusing based on information from 100% of the photosensitive elements.
New algorithms for working with photographs that the Samsung Galaxy s8 uses allow you to get almost perfect pictures. In addition, the front camera of the Samsung Galaxy s8 has added megapixels. Now it has 8 megapixels and takes really good selfies, records improved video with software image stabilization, and has learned how to stitch together pictures for panning.
The main camera of the Samsung Galaxy s8 has also changed. The resolution of the unique, specially designed Sony sensor is 12.2 megapixels. From new features that distinguish the camera from the previous revision can be noted:
- recording pictures in RAW;
- a new control shell with zoom, for which you just move the shutter button;
- improved HDR;
- improved macro photography algorithms;
- new processors for backlit images;
- improved picture detail in low light.
The main camera began to make almost perfect videos. The reason is additional software image stabilization, which is activated in particularly difficult cases where optical capabilities may not be enough.
Is it worth buying
A critical user may notice that the Samsung Galaxy s8 does not offer a revolution compared to the previous flagship. The phone has become expectedly faster. The photos have improved a little. But the main thing worth buying the Samsung Galaxy s8 for is its unique appearance and truly unrivaled screen quality. If you add to this protection from water and dust, durable fifth-generation Gorilla Glass, face identification and an improved power supply system, it becomes clear that the model is truly capable of winning hearts.
Samsung Galaxy s8
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 68.1 mm (millimeters) 6.81 cm (centimeters) 0.22 ft (feet) 2.68 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 148.9 mm (millimeters) 14.89 cm (centimeters) 0.49 ft (feet) 5.86 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 8 mm (millimeters) 0.8 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.31 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 155 g (grams) 0.34 lbs 5.47 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 81.12 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 4.93 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | Black Silver Golden Blue Grey Pink Red |
| Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body. | Glass Aluminium alloy |
| Certification Information about the standards to which this device is certified. | IP68 |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often called a 2G mobile network. It is improved by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies. | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS is an abbreviation for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and belongs to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is providing greater speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology. | UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1700/2100 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent technology development is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 700 MHz Class 13 LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1700/2100 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 1900 MHz (B39) LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2500 MHz (B41) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) LTE 700 MHz (B12) |
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 10 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | 4x 2.35 GHz Kryo 280, 4x 1.9 GHz Kryo 280 |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 64 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv8-A |
| Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes) |
| Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory. | 3072 kB (kilobytes) 3 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 8 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 2350 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc. | Qualcomm Adreno 540 |
| GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 710 MHz (megahertz) |
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 4 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR4X |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels mean higher data rates. | Dual channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 1866 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | Super AMOLED |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 5.8 in (inches) 147.32 mm (millimeters) 14.73 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.54 in (inches) 64.45 mm (millimeters) 6.44 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 5.22 in (inches) 132.48 mm (millimeters) 13.25 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 2.056:1 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 1440 x 2960 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail. | 568 ppi (pixels per inch) 223 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 84.47% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance |
| Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Dual Edge display Always-On Display 540 cd/m² 90%DCI-P3 VR headset support |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Main camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.
| Sensor model | Sony IMX333 Exmor RS |
| Sensor type | |
| Diaphragm | f/1.7 |
| Focal length | 4.2 mm (millimeters) |
| Flash type The most common types of flashes in mobile device cameras are LED and xenon flashes. LED flashes produce softer light and, unlike brighter xenon flashes, are also used for video shooting. | Double LED |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which shows the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. | 4032 x 3024 pixels 12.19 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with the device. | 3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 MP (megapixels) |
Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the device when shooting video at the maximum resolution. Some of the main standard video shooting and playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Optical image stabilization Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition White Balance Adjustment ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode |
| Available also with Samsung S5K2L2 (ISOCELL) Pixel size - 1.4 μm Sensor size - 1/2.55" Phase detection with Dual Pixel Object tracking AF Smart OIS High CRI LED flash Focal length (35 mm equivalent) - 26 mm Angle of view - 77° 720p @ 240 fps |
Additional camera
Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.
| Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the photo sensor used in the device's camera. | Sony IMX320 Exmor RS |
| Sensor type Digital cameras use photo sensors to take photographs. The sensor, as well as optics, are one of the main factors in the quality of the camera in a mobile device. | CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) |
| Diaphragm Aperture (f-number) is the size of the aperture opening that controls the amount of light reaching the photosensor. A lower f-number means the aperture opening is larger. | f/1.7 |
| Focal length Focal length is the distance in millimeters from the photosensor to the optical center of the lens. The equivalent focal length is also indicated, providing the same field of view with a full frame camera. | 2.95 mm (millimeters) |
| Image Resolution Information about the maximum resolution of the additional camera when shooting. In most cases, the resolution of the secondary camera is lower than that of the main camera. | 3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with an additional camera. | 2560 x 1440 pixels 3.69 MP (megapixels) |
| Video - frame rate/frames per second. Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the secondary camera when shooting video at the maximum resolution. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Available also with Samsung S5K3H1 Sensor size - 1/3.6" Pixel size - 1.22 μm Focal length (35 mm equivalent) - 25 mm Angle of view - 80° Auto HDR |
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.
| Version There are several versions of Bluetooth, with each subsequent one improving communication speed, coverage, and making devices easier to discover and connect. Information about the Bluetooth version of the device. | 5.0 |
| Characteristics Bluetooth uses different profiles and protocols that provide faster data transfer, energy savings, improved device discovery, etc. Some of these profiles and protocols that the device supports are shown here. | A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile) DIP (Device ID Profile) HFP (Hands-Free Profile) HID (Human Interface Profile) HSP (Headset Profile) LE (Low Energy) MAP (Message Access Profile) OPP (Object Push Profile) PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile) PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile) |
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
| Browser Information about some of the main characteristics and standards supported by the device's browser. | HTML HTML5 CSS 3 |
Audio file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 3000 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used batteries in mobile devices. | Li-Ion (Lithium-ion) |
| 2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network. | 29 h (hours) 1740 min (minutes) 1.2 days |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 29 h (hours) 1740 min (minutes) 1.2 days |
| Adapter output power Information about the electrical current (measured in amperes) and electrical voltage (measured in volts) that the charger supplies (power output). Higher power output ensures faster battery charging. | 5 V (volts) / 2 A (amps) 9 V (volts) / 1.67 A (amps) |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery. | Wireless charger Fast charging Fixed |
| Qi/PMA wireless charging |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| Head SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values. | 0.24 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard. | 0.48 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
Samsung Galaxy S8 is the company’s flagship, which was released in 2017 and amazes with its appearance and technical characteristics
The official release date of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is March 29, 2017, when a completely new flagship was presented in New York. The peculiarity of the device’s positioning is not copying developments from its main competitor, Apple, but the development of a high-quality, different smartphone, which at the time of its release was considered the most technically advanced device running the Android system available on the market.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION!
If we compare it with the previous, “seventh” series, we can safely say that the presented phone was not just a reworking of the previous device, but thanks to a large number of innovations, it is a qualitatively new device.
The company traditionally decided to release two modifications of the device at once - the regular Samsung S8 and a phone with the Plus prefix, which only means an increased screen diagonal. There are no more variations, which simplifies the choice of the user, who does not need to rush between choosing the optimal values of RAM or permanent memory. The most important thing is to determine comfortable dimensions for yourself.
The two models (S8/S8+) are distinguished only by screen diagonal and overall dimensions
FOR YOUR INFORMATION!
It should be noted that the “senior” model of the line received a display diagonal size almost equal to the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which was released at the same time, the characteristics of which differ fundamentally only in the presence of a stylus and a dual main camera.
The review of the Galaxy S8 should begin with the package contents and design of the model. The device comes in a beautiful matte box, on which blue letters are engraved, indicating the letter code of the model. The most interesting thing for the user is hidden under the lid, which folds back like a box. The package is worthy of a flagship and is quite complete. All components are located in their own cell.
The device comes with a rich set of components, which is typical for flagship devices.
In addition to the smartphone itself, lying on a plastic platform, inside the box the user will find:
- charger with adjustable output current and voltage (5/9 V and 1.67/2 A);
- USB Type-C connection cable;
- adapter from micro-USB to USB Type-C;
- USB to USB Type-C adapter;
- a paperclip for removing the SIM card tray;
- documentation.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION!
At the start of sales, the set included in-ear headphones from AKG, made using dual-driver technology and having a fabric-braided wire that prevents damage. Also included is a set of interchangeable in-channel pads.
The first thing that attracts anyone who picks up a smartphone without yet knowing the exact technical characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the design. The device is an elongated “bar”, in which there is not a drop of plastic. All surfaces are made of glass and metal. The beveled edges give the device a streamlined shape. There is a metal frame around the perimeter of the case, which symmetrically narrows on the sides and widens at the top and bottom. It is used to connect two glass panels. Their coating is made of modern protected glass Gorilla Glass 5.
The absence of frames makes the phone truly borderless and allows you to enjoy clear and high-quality images
The rear surface is absolutely symmetrical, and all the curves exactly follow the curves of the front panel. The edges of the glass are bent so strongly that the connecting seam is almost invisible. That is why critics have dubbed the new product from Samsung a “smartphone without borders.”
The smartphone screen turned out to be elongated due to the company’s use of a non-standard aspect ratio – 18:9 as opposed to the usual – 16:9. The complete absence of frames on the sides has led to the acquisition of such a narrow body that even the older model, which has a screen diagonal of 6.2 inches, is quite convenient and comfortable to hold with one hand. The overall dimensions of the smartphone are as follows: length – 148.9 mm, width – 68.1 mm, height – 8 mm with a weight of 155 g.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION!
The back, made of glass, has a fingerprint scanner, the size and shape of which has raised many questions from users and experts
The device has completely lost the physical home button, which has become completely on-screen. One of the interesting “tricks” is the slight displacement of the key each time the smartphone is activated. This is dictated by the desire to prevent the risk of pixel burnout when displaying a static image.
Despite all the beauty and convenience of the design, a significant fly in the ointment that overshadows admiration for the technical characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the poor placement of the fingerprint scanner. It is located on the rear panel, but the size of the sensor is significantly reduced compared to accepted standards, and it is oriented vertically. As a result, when unlocking blindly, there is a high probability of touching the camera lens with your finger.
In terms of its technical characteristics, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is one of the most advanced smartphones on the market. Even the release of the next model (S9) could not shake the popularity of the flagship, since, as in the case of IPhone 7 and 8, there were no significant changes, but the cost was increased. Therefore, you can simply buy a Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone and not chase the “raw” “nine”.
The lack of hardware buttons under the screen is compensated for by on-screen keys
Main characteristics of Samsung Galaxy S8
The table briefly summarizes the main parameters of the model, in terms of technical features.
| Parameter | Characteristic |
| CPU | Samsung Exynos 8895 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (out of the box). |
| Display | Super Amoled 5.8 inches. |
| SIM card format | Nano-SIM, 2 pieces. |
| Cameras | Main - 12 MP, front - 8 MP. |
| Battery | Built-in 3000 mAh. |
| Memory card support | MicroSD up to 257 GB. |
| Network formats | GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) WCDMA/HSPA+ (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. TD LTE Band 38 – 41. |
| Wireless interfaces | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC. |
| Wireless charging support | Available. |
To complete the review, we should look at the main parameters in more detail.
Processor type and memory parameters
The company produces two modifications that differ in the type of processor. For Europe and the CIS countries, the device is equipped with Samsung’s own SoC Exynos 8895. This stone represents the 9th generation of this type of processor. Its work is based on the use of a 4+4 solder: the first four cores are ARM Cortex-A-53 with a clock speed of 1.7 GHz, which are necessary for performing simple tasks, and the second is represented by custom Exynos M1 cores with a clock frequency of 2.3 GHz. They are connected when it is necessary to process heavy games or solve complex algorithms.
The device is available on the market in a wide range of colors
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The main difference between the new processor and other models is the presence of a qualitatively new Mali G71-MP20 graphics accelerator, which provides maximum performance gains.
The results of the main tests demonstrate that the company's use of its own development had a positive effect on power. The results of testing in the main synthetic benchmarks are as follows:
- AnTuTu: 174 155.
- Quadrant Standard: 43 185.
- PCMark: 5,371 (Work 2.0), 6,034 (Work 1.0).
- PCMark Storage: 4 421.
- 3DMark: 3 159.
- Vellamo: 7,269 (browser), 3,324 (Metal graphics), 3,621 (multi-core test).
- Geekbench 4.0: 1,974 (single-core), 6,339 (multi-core).
According to test results, the Galaxy S8 is almost as good as the flagship iPhone 7 Plus
There is also a modification that uses the most powerful Snapdragon from Qualcomm - 835. Such smartphones are supplied only to the US market. If we talk about memory, it should be noted that the company did not endow its device with the most advanced capacity. RAM is only 4 GB, which is standard even for budget models.
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A significant breakthrough was the use of a new data exchange format when using memory. The Samsung Galaxy S8 implements the UFS 2.1 standard, which reduces the load time of the smartphone and switching between programs.
The permanent memory in the device in the basic configuration is 64 GB. The manufacturer has taken the path of increasing the amount of available space. This is due to the development of digital technology, as well as the technical capabilities of the smartphone camera, which allows you to take pictures with a resolution of 4032x3024 pixels, which take up a lot of space. It is also possible to shoot video in Ultra HD format. A video like this also requires free space.
The smartphone has a Samsung matrix with a resolution of 1440×2960 pixels. A distinctive feature is the ability to change the display quality in the settings. You can set the resolution up to 2960×1440 or WQHD+. SuperAMOLED screen with 570 ppi dot density.
Since the device is a flagship, it accordingly has a top-end version of the matrix, which provides maximum viewing angles and good visibility even in bright sunlight. There are many settings, including the adjustment of blue light, which can reduce eye strain when using a smartphone at night.
Various screen display modes are available in the settings, the selection of which is based on the subjective desires of the user
Despite the non-standard aspect ratio, which is not always convenient when watching videos or playing games, the manufacturer has included in the settings the ability to adapt content for user comfort. When this function is activated, the picture is displayed in full screen.
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The screen occupies 83.6% of the front surface of the smartphone, the remaining space is given over to minimal upper and lower frames with a thickness of 6 and 7 mm, respectively. Due to the rounded edges, it visually seems that the screen covers almost the entire front part.
Communications
The communication capabilities of the smartphone include support for all major communication formats, even the most advanced LTE Cat.16 technology. According to the developers, the implementation of support for this format made it possible to increase the speed of data reception/transmission by 20% compared to the previous generation.
The AlwaysOn Display function allows you to display a clock, picture, photo or event notifications on the screen
Wireless technologies implemented in the Samsung Galaxy S8 include the use of a dual-band Wi-Fi transmitter and a 5th generation Bluetooth module. The built-in navigation module can work efficiently with both the Russian GLONASS system and the Chinese Beidou satellites. The cold start speed is only a few seconds with maximum positioning clarity. The device also has a built-in magnetic compass.
Multimedia Features Overview
The device is equipped with two cameras. The front one has a resolution of 8 megapixels and does not have its own flash, but is equipped with a fast lens with an aperture size of f/1.7. It also supports intelligent autofocus, which is necessary to implement face recognition when unlocking the screen, and allows you to get a better picture.
The camera has many settings, including preset shooting modes, called up by swiping from left to right across the screen in photo mode
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The algorithms used when processing photographs from the front camera will appeal to the fair sex, since excessive smoothing is observed. In the picture this is reflected in the almost complete absence of wrinkles.
The main camera (which is only one) has a resolution of 12 MP, the aperture size is the same - f/1.7, pixel diameter - 1.4 microns. Additionally, to get the best shot, an optical stabilization system and Dual Pixel technology are used to achieve ultra-fast focusing when it is necessary to capture sudden movements in low-light conditions. The manufacturer used the matrix from the previous S7 Edge model in the main camera, providing it with several improvements. As a result, in low-light conditions, built-in processing mechanisms are activated, which allow you to achieve better image detail and reduce the amount of noise. In general, it should be noted that the pictures are saturated, the automatic HDR system does not lead to overexposure of areas of the frame.
The Bixby assistant, which is called up by pressing a single button on the left side, is practically useless in the Russian Federation
In the camera settings, you can select several shooting modes with preset parameters. There is a function for shooting food, an animated panorama, slow-motion mode and taking photos with selective focus.
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An interesting new feature of the camera is the virtual shooting mode, with which the user can create a three-dimensional image by shooting an object from all sides.
Additionally, the camera is connected to the Bixby assistant, which allows you to determine shooting locations, find information on the Internet about the subject in the photo, or convert text from the screen into electronic form. Listening to music is not implemented in the best way in the device. There is no own player, so you have to listen to all music content through a service from Google called Play Music, which does not have the most convenient and user-friendly interface. It is possible to build sound quality using a powerful set of manual settings and presets.
Battery and power
The device uses a built-in 3000 mAh battery. The characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus are further distinguished by the use of a more capacious battery (3500 mAh). This is due to the larger display diagonal.
The battery supports wireless charging. The charger itself supports fast charging. The time to fully replenish the battery at a voltage of 5 V is about 1.5 hours.
The smartphone supports wireless charging
The lifespan of a smartphone in various modes of use is:
- reading an e-book – 21 hours;
- video viewing – 14.5 hours;
- games – 5 hours.
With normal use (telephone conversations, checking email, Internet surfing), the smartphone can last throughout the day. There is also a performance mode setting that unloads unused applications from memory and activates a power-saving mode.
Software
The Samsung Galaxy S8 firmware out of the box is represented by the Android 7.0 operating system, which is slightly modified by the proprietary Samsung Experience shell. At the same time, the manufacturer is already carrying out a massive update to Android OS 8.0, which can be obtained over the air. To the manufacturer’s credit, it should be noted that the amount of pre-installed software is minimal. These are necessary services from Google, custom Samsung applications (notes, browser, smart home control system, tool for migration from other phones, applications for monitoring your own health). There are also office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
You can add frequently used applications and quick calls to the sidebar
Contactless payment options
The smartphone has an NFC module, which makes it possible to make contactless payments. You can install Google Pay or use the built-in system called Samsung Pay. It allows you to register several cards at the same time and select them when paying. The application can be launched even from a locked screen, and payment can be activated using a PIN code or a fingerprint scanner.
Thanks to the presence of an NFC module and support for Samsung Pay, you can pay with one touch of your phone
Additional features
Among the additional features offered by the Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone, we can highlight unlocking using FaceID or iris scanning. The function, unlike the Apple X, is implemented at a decent level and does not allow false positives; you can unlock the device even in complete darkness. Problems can only arise if direct sunlight hits the screen when the smartphone is activated.
You can unlock your smartphone with your eyes; similarly, you can set up login to a website that requires you to enter passwords.
Another holiday has come for fans of the Samsung brand; two wonderful smartphones will go on sale at once - Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Being followers of the Galaxy S7 and direct competitors of the Apple iPhone 7, both devices are worthy of their owners. The convenient design and powerful hardware of the Galaxy S8 are impressive, which is worth talking about in more detail.
Design and interface
Touching and swiping, pinch and spread your fingers - all this is included in the properties of the touchscreen interface. Changing applications is improved by 3D Touch technology, which distinguishes the pressure of fingers (Peek, Pop). All electronic components are enclosed in a durable glass case, and the display measures 5.8 inches diagonally. The front panel belongs almost entirely to the screen, the edges of which are rounded even to the side edges. A small strip is left at the top, on which you can see the peephole of the 12 MP main camera and the double flash LED. The rear panel has an 8 MP front camera, a flash and a biometric scanner. Below is the brand's signature inscription. By color scheme Samsung Galaxy S8 It will be available in only three variants: dark black, orchid gray and silver. But even this choice is quite enough not to miss the moment of purchase.
An innovation of the device is the use of a DeX docking station, which is connected to a USB Type-C cable. The appearance of additional HDMI output and two USB ports significantly expand the functionality of the gadget as a PC. Another useful assistant is the Bixby option - voice command assistant.
OS and more
The Android platform, even the latest generation, is somewhat different in content from Apple's iOS indicators, in some moments even surpassing its competitor. The proprietary processor (for Russia) is represented by the Exynos 8895 brand; for the USA it will be replaced by the Snapdragon 835 from Qualcomm. According to its main parameters, it is designed for 4 GB of RAM, while the main one will not exceed 64 GB. Expansion via microchip 128/256 GB is allowed. Responsibility for graphics support lies with the Mali G71 accelerator, which is quite sufficient for high-quality images of not only text information, but also photos and video materials. Performance is also possible thanks to the presence of universal Flash Storage, with the built-in Generation of the second version.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm, weight – 155 grams;
- Display: 5.8-inch with WQHD+ resolution (2960×1440), 579ppi, 18.5:9, matrix – Super AMOLED;
- Processor: Exynos 9 Octa 8895, 8 cores, 10 nm;
- Video accelerator: Mali-G71;
- RAM: 4 GB;
- ROM: 64 GB + microSD slot up to 256 GB;
- Main camera: 12 MP, 1/2.55″, 1.4 µm, OIS, f/1.7, 4K video recording;
- Front camera: 8 MP, f/1.7, 1/3.6″, 1.22 µm;
- Battery: 3000 mAh;
- Other: USB Type-C; microSD slot, fingerprint scanner, iris scanner, IP68 case protection.
Design and ergonomics
Let's be honest - this is the best looking smartphone on the market. Everyone is talking about this and this is most likely the first time this has happened. You will find very few, if any, reviews that say the design was a failure. No, it's chic and has a wow effect.
After S5, each subsequent generation only got better. The sixth generation has changed completely: “Samsungs” have ceased to be remnants and have become more premium in appearance and tactility. “Seven” has stepped even further and increased its practicality. Now we actually have before us a work of art – the S8. This is not a perfect smartphone, it has its own shortcomings and I will tell you about them, but if we are talking about first impressions, they are great. The smartphone looks modern, technological, and premium, all at the same time.
The body is made of glass (Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides) and metal. As before, the quality and assembly are perfect. That is, there is nothing to complain about - it does not spin, is waterproof and pleasant to the touch.
In terms of elements, everything is more or less standard, but I will note some points. The bottom is now USB Type-C. The 3.5mm headphone jack is in place, for which many thanks. During a flight to the States, I experienced pain with my iPhone 7 Plus when I was watching movies through Lightning headphones and the smartphone was dead. How to charge it and watch a movie? Wireless only. I also had such headphones, but, by the way, even in this regard, Samsung went further. S8 is the first smartphone with Bluetooth 5.0, which means not only increased data transfer speeds, but also the ability to simultaneously connect two BT devices (two headphones, two speakers). Moreover, you can control the volume of each separately. This is very cool, for example, you can watch a movie together and not disturb anyone.
But what still irritates me is the location of some holes on the edges. Well, I can’t come to terms with the off-center location of USB Type-C. But what’s even worse is that all the other holes at the bottom are not located on the same line.
It seems like a small thing, but if we are talking about the most beautiful phone, these little things are worth paying attention to. I understand that to align these elements it would be necessary to design a different placement of everything on the board, but damn, you designed thin frames! By the way, the hole of the second microphone on top is also shifted.
The scanner located at the back is, as expected, inconvenient. I use my phone all the time and I can’t say that I’ve gotten used to it. On the contrary, I developed the habit of looking at the back of the smartphone before unlocking it in order to get my finger in the right place. Otherwise I'm constantly touching the camera. Why didn't they make the scanner under the camera like everyone else?
The good news is that the scanner works quickly and immediately unlocks the smartphone, without the need to press anything. And you can also attach a gesture for lowering the curtain with notifications, like on “pixels”.
You will say that you can use the improved facial recognition feature to avoid constantly reaching for the scanner, but this is just a toy because you can simply unlock the screen with your photo. I tried it myself and it really works. And the smartphone itself warns that even someone just like you will do. This is an unreliable method of protection.
The iris scanner helps, but face unlock doesn't work. But unlocking the iris is quite slow and not always the first time. To launch the iris scanner, you need to press the lock key and swipe across the screen, which takes a long time, and then also hold the device at a certain distance and place your eyes in the circles.
If protection is important to you, but you don’t store codes for the red button on it, then I wouldn’t worry, everything works quickly in the face. And what needs to be hidden can be hidden in a protected folder, to access which you will need to enter a password. True, face unlock does not work in the dark, but there is a scanner on the back. In short, there is a choice.
Small frames on all sides are, of course, very beautiful, but is it convenient? Not really - I can only use my smartphone in the case. I am glad that there are many branded ones, and there will be even more third-party ones, for any requests.
The thing is that without a case I constantly touch something on the screen. It’s even hard to watch a video on YouTube, because there’s nothing to hold the smartphone, because there’s also not enough space at the top and bottom.
Of course, I understand that framelessness is the future and Samsung is great. Perhaps algorithms will soon appear that will recognize and ignore accidental touches of edges, but this is unusual now.
I also don’t quite understand the lack of stereo speakers in the flagship in 2017. This is a drawback, because one speaker, although of high quality, is covered every now and then.
There are now no keys under the display. This is good. I was very annoyed by the touch buttons “back” and calling up the multitasking menu, because they constantly got in the way. Now all the keys are on-screen and hidden when not needed, freeing up more free space. The home key is now also virtual, but they came up with an elegant solution for it. It is visible even on a locked screen, thanks to the Super AMOLED display and the Always On Display function. And it reacts precisely to pressing, and not to touch. When pressed, you feel a vibration that simulates pressing a button. Not a taptic engine, but not everyone likes it either, so overall they came up with a very good implementation. By the way, this press works in any menu and application, even when the button itself is visually hidden.
Another change I’d like to note is the new mechanical key on the left side; it’s responsible for calling the Bixby voice assistant, which I’ll talk about a little later. Otherwise, everything is simple: on the right is the lock key, on top is a tray for a SIM card and memory card, as well as a second microphone.
Display
The screen is the main part of any smartphone, but here it is of particular importance. It is because of this that the S8 creates this very wow effect. It occupies 83.6% of the front surface, although it seems that all of it is 95. The remaining almost 16-odd percent are frames, although minimal: 6 mm at the bottom and 7 mm at the top. They were able to place everything on them: a camera, an iris scanner, sensors, and a speaker. The only thing that was removed was the Samsung logo. We will mourn him (no).
There are side frames, but they are very thin, due to the curved edges of the display.
The proportions have changed, now they are 18.5:9, and the resolution is 2960x1440 pixels. That is, it is extended upward, due to which the diagonal of the smaller model is 5.8”, and the plus version is 6.2”. But don't think that this is a phablet; the width of the entire S8 smartphone is less than a 5.5" display with an aspect ratio of 16:9. So the display is narrow and tall, and its area is comparable to the S7 and S7 Edge. It’s not entirely correct to compare diagonals here, because the ratios are different. If you make the smartphone generally narrow and tall, the diagonal will still be large.
There seem to be no problems with software optimization, because in the settings you can choose which applications should be automatically optimized for a wide format.
As before, the matrix is Super AMOLED, there is support for the HDR 10 standard for watching Amazon Prime, for example. Overall, I can call the screen the best of those on the market. It is very beautiful, energy efficient and has its own unique features, like AOD. In the settings, you can change the color scheme, enable night mode, and also change the displayed resolution: from HD+ to WQHD+.
This doesn’t affect the quality, at least you can’t see it, but it saves battery life. I think the setting itself is only needed for VR, so they could make it automatic. You wouldn't notice anyway.
Cameras
The main camera has not actually changed - the same 12.2 MP, aperture 1.7, the same matrix. The quality remained exactly the same, that is, very good, but, you see, we expected more. Until recently I hoped that there would be a second camera, but no. The only thing that has changed is autofocus; it has become similar to Canon’s Dual Pixel. The video is recorded in 4K with optical stabilization, and at any lower resolution, software is also connected. Therefore, the picture is very stable.
But the front camera has grown: 8 MP, video is recorded in 2K, there is software stabilization. But the main thing is that it has autofocus.
I liked the camera application, it is not overloaded, at least it doesn’t feel that way. Everything is functional, access to most functions is via swipe.
Examples of photos taken with the main camera
Examples of photos taken with the front camera
Video examples
Bixby
Bixby is Samsung's new voice assistant. I’m sure they will ignore it, like they did with S-Voice, because there is already a visible strategy here, and not a banal race for having something that speaks in smartphones. The Bixby developers once created Siri and sold it to Apple. And now Samsung has bought this company and they are creating a new generation assistant. The seriousness of the intentions is emphasized by the fact that for Bixby there is a separate (!) mechanical key on the smartphone body that cannot be reassigned (!). For now, the assistant only supports English and Korean.
The button is on the left side, under the volume key, and it’s not entirely clear to me. No matter how cool the assistant is, a separate button for it is somehow too much. Moreover, my considerations are extremely practical - this key is constantly pressed, which turns on the smartphone. And the button itself is nothing at all. If only other functions could be assigned to it. But no, only Bixby, which still doesn’t work fully for us. The Russian language is not supported, and the assistant itself looks like a toy today. Cool features are announced - deep contextual understanding, as well as object recognition in the camera. For example, I saw something, looked it up and immediately ordered it on Amazon. But it just works poorly so far and at best recognizes the type of object: bicycle, slippers, watch. It’s still difficult with specific models. However, as I already said when getting acquainted with the smartphone, Bixby is the brainchild of the creators of Siri, so we’ll have to wait and see.
