Table of contents:
- An all screen mobile
- Main button
- Power
- Operating system
- Bixby
- Camera
- Autonomy and connections
- Identification systems
- Availability and price
It is not just another Galaxy. The Samsung Galaxy S8 breaks with the design of its predecessors. Its powerful 5.8-inch screen and its particular rear fingerprint reader already make the difference. But in addition, it has a long series of improvements and unique features to take over (and surpass) the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.
Among the features of the Samsung Galaxy S8 we find an Exynos chip and 4 GB of RAM. Together with Bixby, his personal assistant. Or up to three different recognition systems for added security. The company has even taken a leap forward with a function that allows us to turn our Samsung Galaxy S8 into an improvised desktop PC.
As for the camera, the quality of last year is maintained and some details are improved. 12 megapixels behind and 8 in front. 3,000 milliamps of battery complete the main hardware in a groundbreaking device priced at 810 euros. It will arrive in Spain from next April 28.
This Galaxy S8 needs to be analyzed in more detail. Let's see then its characteristics point to point:
An all screen mobile
It is obvious that the aesthetic part deserves the first section of this analysis. The terminal stands out for having an 85% screen ratio, with minimal lower and upper edges to support the camera and the microphone. The rest, a 5.8-inch super AMOLED curved panel with a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Really beautiful to look at.
Compared to what it might seem, this Galaxy S8 is anything but a brick. With 8 millimeters thick and 151 grams of weight, it practically repeats the dimensions of its predecessor. It's amazing the work that has been done to optimize a gigantic screen without affecting too much the space it takes up in your hand.
In addition, for this Galaxy S8, resistance to water and dust is again offered with the IP68 certificate. This means that you can dive down to 1.5 meters deep and for up to 30 minutes, without damaging the phone. Of course, you have to be careful with corrosive elements such as chlorine in swimming pools or salt in seawater.
A close look at the screen of the Galaxy S8.
Main button
For the first time at Samsung, the main button disappears, and we rely only on the capacitive buttons. The system is designed to take advantage of the gigantic screen, and that is why it introduces 3D Touch technology for the first time. The same technology that Apple includes in mobiles such as the iPhone 7 allows the user to use the different levels of pressure on the screen to activate options and create shortcuts in their apps. Yet another reason not to think about buttons. Here, interactivity rules.
But what about the fingerprint reader? It has come to lodge behind, just at the same height as the camera and the flash. A controversial location that has sparked criticism and praise in equal measure. It is certainly in a curious place, and some criticisms are justified. Won't we end up hitting the target repeatedly by mistake? Don't you have to stretch your finger too long to press it? This type of issue will only be resolved when we use it regularly and we can assess it.
Front of the Galaxy S8.
Power
One of the great highlights of the hardware of this Galaxy S8 is its processor, and no wonder. In Europe we have an Exynos chip with eight cores at a maximum of 2.45 GHz clock frequency, which promises to go like a shot. This processor is accompanied by 4 GB of RAM memory (do you need more, really?) And an Adreno 540 GPU.
For storage, two versions are offered. The first is 64GB and the second 128GB. Samsung's latest bet adapts to a reality where a mobile that records 4K videos or RAW photos requires a large storage capacity. In addition, for the one who lacks it, you can expand the memory through the microSD card, with a maximum of 256 GB.
Samsung Galaxy S8 data sheet
| screen | 5.8 ″ Super AMOLED 1440 x 2960 resolution, 570 dpi | |
| Main chamber | 12 megapixels, aperture f / 1.7, LED flash | |
| Camera for selfies | 8 megapixels, aperture f / 1.7, LED flash | |
| Internal memory | 64 GB | |
| Extension | microSD up to 256 GB | |
| Processor and RAM | Exynos 8895 (eight cores 4 at 2.3 GHz and 4 at 1.7 GHz), 4 GB of RAM | |
| Drums | 3,000 mAh, fast charging, wireless charging | |
| Operating system | Android 7 Nougat | |
| Connections | Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC, 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac | |
| SIM | nanoSIM | |
| Design | Metal and glass, 83% screen ratio. Colors: black, silver and purple | |
| Dimensions | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (155 grams) | |
| Featured Features | Fingerprint reader, iris scanner, facial recognition, Bixby, waterproof (IP68) | |
| Release date | April 28, 2017 | |
| Price | 810 euros |
Operating system
The Samsung Galaxy S8 incorporates the Android 7.1 Nougat base. With it we can take advantage of many of the novelties of this operating system, such as the split screen, instant apps or grouped notifications.
As for the apps included by default, apart from the inevitable bundle of Google products, it also comes with Microsoft's Office software. Separate mention deserves Samsung Connect, a brand's own app designed to control other Samsung devices in the home. We are talking about smart appliances, such as the refrigerator or air conditioning. Through this app, we can know if we have left it on, or we can turn it on before we get home. The Galaxy S8 comes fully equipped for The Internet of Things.
Bixby
Although it was expected that the famous Samsung assistant would be presented together with the Galaxy S8, the truth is that it was presented a week before. Perhaps you did not want me to take away your attention from the real protagonist of the day. The important thing after all, is that the latest from Samsung has Bixby, an artificial intelligence, as a virtual assistant.
Thanks to a button located next to the volume keys, we can directly access Bixby. With a female voice, she will communicate with us in a natural way and make it easier for us to navigate the phone. We can dictate a message, check the traffic or the weather forecast. We may also ask you to recognize an image of a product and send us a link to purchase it. In addition, Bixby integrates with some apps so that we can manage them with just our voice.
In short, another artificial intelligence that joins Siri, Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant, although it will only be competition for this last assistant. One final detail: Bixby only comes with Chinese and English as available languages. The list of languages is obviously expected to expand, but today we only find those two.
Close-up of the Galaxy S8 camera.
Camera
The rear camera of the Galaxy S7, with its acclaimed Dual Pixel sensor, was one of the strengths of the terminal. Perhaps that is why we find few variations for this Galaxy S8: a 12 megapixel sensor, with f / 1.7 aperture and LED flash. It also incorporates phase detection autofocus, and can make 4K videos.
In the front we do find improvement: it goes from 5 to 8 megapixels, with f / 1.7 aperture, LED flash and automatic HDR. This year 2016 has been the year of the rebellion of the front cameras, and the Galaxy S8 could not ignore this trend. However, it is striking that other recently launched Samsung devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, offered higher resolution front cameras.
A look at the USB Type-C connector on the Galaxy S8.
Autonomy and connections
Battery is definitely the aspect that will have given Samsung developers the most headaches for this Galaxy S8. Faced with the temptation to experiment with other technologies, manufacturers, or capabilities, Koreans have played it safe. And is that the battery of the Galaxy S7 goes perfectly, has good autonomy and holds up well over time.
Therefore, in this Galaxy S8 we find again a 3,000 milliamp lithium battery. As in the previous mobile, we have fast charging, as well as wireless charging. In this regard, Samsung's approach has been: if something works, and it does it well, why change it?
As for the connections, we find NFC, necessary to use Samsung Pay, USB type C connector, Bluetooth 5.0 and GPS. The basic and necessary for a device of this caliber.
Identification systems
Identification technology has been one of the aspects that has been most rumored about in recent weeks. The comparison with the next Apple was constant. Now we know what the bet of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is: fingerprint reader, iris scanner and facial recognition.
The fingerprint reader is not new, although its location is, as we mentioned at the beginning of the article. We have it at the top back, at the same height as the camera. We don't know all the alternative uses it may have apart from unlocking, but that reader will surely take advantage of it.
Front of the Galaxy S8, where the iris scanner is housed.
On the other hand, we have the iris scanner. Located in the front, it offers an extra level of security, in order to keep our private folders and our Samsung Pay cards safe.
Finally we have the facial recognition sensor. Based on the front camera, it recognizes the features of our face to make a portrait that unlocks the phone or some apps.
In short, Samsung bets on its Galaxy S8 for an ultra-secure device, aware that we increasingly include more precious information on our phone. By combining all three technologies, our Galaxy S8 can become an impregnable fortress.
The screen of the Galaxy S8, close up.
Availability and price
The Samsung Galaxy S8 will arrive in Spanish stores from April 28, at a price of 810 euros. It's a high price, but one that fits the current economic reality of high-end phones. Of course, it is higher than the price of the LG G6 or the Huawei P10 and is closer to the iPhone.
What do you think of this Samsung Galaxy S8? Does it meet your expectations? Did you expect more? Are you planning to buy it ? Remember that your comments are always welcome.
