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. On back panel passed front-camera 8 MP, light flash and 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 cable USB Type-C. 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
Android platform, even latest generation, the content is somewhat different from the “Apple” indicators of iOS, 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.
Smartphone Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (Black) allows you to take pictures at a professional level due to the high resolution of the main and front cameras. Photos are bright and vibrant both day and night thanks to the built-in flash. Optical stabilization ensures the frame remains clear even when the subject shakes or moves. The battery capacity is 3500 mAh, which is enough for efficient operation without recharging for a day. The phone works on 4G networks.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (Black) smartphone can be synchronized with a personal computer using a special cable that comes included. Reliable data security is ensured by fingerprint and iris scanners. Proximity sensor prevents accidental press keys during a call. Using the device, you can pay for purchases in stores contactlessly. The model perceives voice commands, which is especially important for people with an active lifestyle.
Smartphone without borders
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus redefines the classic smartphone design. The limitless* double-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 Plus 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 Plus 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 Plus using the OTG adapter included in the package.
| Regional modifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| China, USA and Japan | International version | |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 8895 Octa | |
| CPU | 4 x Kryo 280 @ 2.45 GHz 4 x Kryo 280 @ 1.90 GHz |
4 x Exynos M2 @ 2.3 GHz 4 x ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.7 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 540 @ 650 MHz | ARM Mali G71 MP20 @ 550 MHz |
| RAM | 4 Gb LPDDR4x @ 1866 MHz 6 Gb LPDDR4x @ 1866 MHz * |
|
| Flash | 64/128 Gb UFS 2.1 | |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 256 Gb, hybrid slot (for Duos models) | |
| Screen | 5.8 inches WQHD+ (1440 x 2960 pixels), Super AMOLED, Multitouch, Edge, pixel density ~570 ppi, ~83.6% of the total plane of the front of the smartphone | |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | |
| Always-on display | Yes | |
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.7 aperture, focal length 26 mm (35 mm film equivalent), phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, LED flash, 4K video recording, simultaneous video + photo | |
| Front-camera | 8 MP, f/1.7 aperture, 22 mm focal length (equivalent), 2K video recording, dual video call, Auto HDR | |
| Connection | 2G/3G/4G | |
| GSM | Yes ** | |
| UMTS | Yes ** | |
| LTE | Yes ** | |
| CDMA | No | |
| CDMA 2000 | yes (SM-G9500, SM-G950V, SM-G950R only) | No |
| TD-SCDMA | yes (SM-G9500 only) | No |
| 4G LTE speed | Download: LTE Category 16, up to 1 Gbit/s (!) Transmission: LTE Category 13, up to 150 Mbit/s |
|
| Dual-SIM | SM-G9500 only | yes (not all modifications) |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band 2.4/5 GHz, Wi-Fi Direct, speed up to 867 Mbit/s | |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 | |
| Navigation | GPS + A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, SBAS | |
| NFC | Yes | |
| Samsung Pay | yes (NFC + MST) *** | |
| Radio | No | |
| USB | v3.1, Type-C 1.0, OTG | |
| 3.5mm audio | Yes | |
| Fingerprint's scanner | yes (on the back of the body to the right of the camera) | |
| IRIS scanner | yes (front) | |
| Face recognition | yes (front camera) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, distance sensor, compass, barometer, heart rate and blood oxygen saturation sensors | |
| Fast charging | Quick Charge 3.0 | Yes |
| Wireless charger | P.M.A. | Qi/PMA |
| IP68 protection | Yes | |
| Battery | 3000 mAh, non-removable | |
| OS | Android 7.0 Nougat | |
| Shell | Samsung TouchWiz UI | |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Bixby (not all regions yet) | |
| Dimensions | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm | |
| Weight | 155 g | |
* The modification with 6 Gb of RAM is currently available only in China and South Korea
** The set of supported frequencies and subversions of the standard may vary depending on the country or mobile operator(for operator versions).
***Samsung Pay contactless payment service is not yet available in all countries.
Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus that differ from the basic version
Below are the technical characteristics of the Galaxy S8 Plus, which differ from the original version without the “plus”.
And now in detail
CPU
It is, of course, a key component that determines the rest Samsung specifications Galaxy S8. As before, Koreans prefer to “keep their eggs in two baskets”, for this reason the smartphone is available in versions with different chipsets - Exynos 8895 of our own design and Qualcomm Snapdragon 835.
This year there was a very interesting turn, which has not yet been noticed by everyone. The new generation of mobile processors is slightly superior in performance to the previous one. This time the manufacturers focused on such characteristics as data transfer speeds in mobile and wireless networks, support for dual cameras, etc.
You can read more about the comparison between Snapdragon 835 and Exynos 9 Series (8895). Let us only note here that both chipsets are approximately equal in their technical capabilities, and you should worry more about software debugging.
Memory
Contrary to expectations, the “eighth galaxy” turned out to be a little more modest in terms of memory characteristics, but this almost always happens with top models from which a “megabreakthrough” is expected.
RAM
Inside most of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ there is 4 GB of fast dual-channel LPDDR4x RAM with clock frequency 1866MHz. It is believed that this is quite enough for comfortable launching of modern mobile applications.
However, especially for China and South Korea, Samsung is producing an “extended” edition of the Galaxy S8, which has as much as 6 GB of RAM. Apparently, this is due to active competition from local vendors from the Middle Kingdom, especially Xiaomi with its Mi6.
Built-in storage
The new Samsung Galaxy S8 is available in versions with 64 and 128 GB of built-in flash memory. The latter is still as rare as the version with 6 GB of RAM. The most modern and high-speed UFS2.1 chips are used.
Some sources also indicated an option with a drive with a capacity of as much as 256 Gb. However, due to the possibility of expansion, Samsung does not produce it at all.
Expandable
Like last year's Galaxy S7, new Galaxy S8 allows you to expand the internal storage by installing a MicroSD memory card. The controller built into the chipset allows the use of fast modern SD 3.0 (UHS-I) cards.
Officially, cards with a capacity of up to 256 Gb are supported, but in practice nothing prevents you from using SDXC of the maximum possible capacity - 2 Tb.
It should be noted that thanks to the OTG option, you can also connect to your smartphone external drives USB with USB Type-C interface, as well as more traditional USB 1.1/2.0/3.0 - via an adapter.
Screen
The Galaxy S8 display is perhaps the key feature of the new Samsung flagship. In the process of creating the device, the company’s specialists decided that it was time to do away with the classic forms and offer something radically new. Moreover, competitors have noticeably revived in this direction, which is worth only one.
The screen of the Samsung Galaxy S8 has grown noticeably compared to last year's Galaxy S7 - a diagonal of 5.8 inches versus 5.1, and has also become wider. At the same time, the dimensions of the smartphone remained almost the same. For this purpose, we had to abandon the so familiar hardware “Home” button and additional touch control keys on the sides of it.
Thanks to this solution, the flagship's display occupies almost 85% of the front surface, with frames left only at the top and bottom. The fingerprint scanner has moved to the back of the case. This solution is often found among Chinese manufacturers and will be quite familiar to many.
Of course, most of the free space will be occupied by on-screen controls, but in games and other full-screen applications, Galaxy S8 owners will be able to fully enjoy the benefits of a large diagonal.
And this time Samsung will equip all modifications of its flagship with a curved screen like the Galaxy S7. Thus, the Edge prefix will lose relevance, and the concept will become mainstream.
Another feature of the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus is the ability to change the screen resolution. By default, it is 1440 x 2960 pixels (WQHD+), but can be lowered to FullHD+ (1080 x 2220) or HD+ (1480 x 720) to improve performance and battery life.
Camera
Contrary to expectations, Samsung did not equip the Galaxy S8 with a dual camera. Instead, the smartphone received an updated 12-megapixel sensor for the main module with the DualPixel technology already familiar to us from the Galaxy S7.
The first test images taken with the main camera of the Galaxy S8 demonstrate rich colors and high picture quality. Of course, only “field tests” will show real photography capabilities, but now we can say with complete confidence that the new Samsung flagship is one of the best camera phones of 2017.
In the case of the front camera, the Koreans also did not chase the number of megapixels, as they now like to do in Podniesnaya. Its resolution is quite modest - 8 MP, but the quality of selfies is far superior to its Chinese competitors.
Connection
Samsung's new flagship has excellent support for modern mobile networks, however, a specific list of frequencies and standards cellular communication varies among different regional and carrier models.
Thus, the Chinese (SM-G9500) and some American versions (SM-G950V, SM-G950R) can operate in CDMA2000 1xEV-DO networks; TD-SCDMA is also available in the Middle Kingdom (a purely local 3G standard, not relevant in other countries).
Thanks to the new X16 modem, the Galaxy S8 is capable of downloading data on 4G networks at speeds of up to 1 Gbps (if the operator has equipment that meets the requirements of LTE Category 16).
A significant part of smartphones have support for two SIM cards. Typically, sellers in such cases add the Duos prefix. However, this does not apply to American operator versions, which are traditionally tied to native networks.
As noted above, the dual-SIM Galaxy S8 has a hybrid tray that allows you to install either two nano-SIM SIM cards, or one SIM card and MicroSD.
Communications
In respect of communication capabilities The Galaxy S8 is packed literally “I can’t do the best.” The only thing missing is FM radio and an infrared port for controlling external devices.
Bluetooth
Galaxy S8 is the first smartphone to support Bluetooth 5.0. The fifth version of this multifunctional standard wireless communication increases the range of the transmitter by as much as four times, and the speed by two.
In addition to traditional capabilities such as file transfer and mobile Internet distribution, Bluetooth 5.0 provides advanced capabilities for controlling a variety of wearable gadgets. Recently, this direction has become increasingly popular.
WiFi
Even this, in general, “gentlemanly” option modern smartphone As for connecting to WiFi, the Samsung Galaxy S8 complies with the latest trends in high technology. The smartphone has a dual-band (2.4 + 5 GHz) IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac wireless network adapter.
The maximum data transfer speed is 867 Mbit/s (if you have an appropriate access point or WiFi router). Of course, there is support for Wi-Fi Direct and access point mode.
Navigation
It would seem that since smartphones have all gained GPS support, it is very difficult to come up with something new in this direction. However, the Galaxy S8 offers previously unavailable navigation capabilities.
So, in addition to standard A-GPS, GLONASS and Beidou, the smartphone can use satellites of the European Galileo system, as well as QZSS and SBAS corrections, to more accurately determine coordinates.
USB
Finally, with almost a two-year lag, Samsung has equipped the flagship of the Galaxy S line, instead of the old-fashioned microUSB 2.0, with a modern “full-fledged” USB Type-C 1.0 port, the data transfer speed corresponds to the USB v3.1 standard.
The connector is used in the Galaxy S8 for synchronizing data with a PC, charging and connecting external OTG devices. For older devices with USB 1.1/2.0/3.0, an appropriate adapter will be required.
NFC and Samsung Pay
“Eighth Galaxy” has full support for the proprietary contactless payment service Samsung Pay, including both MasterCard PayPass/VISA PayWire and magnetic tape emulation using MST technology. However, to use it, it is necessary that the service is available in your country, and the smartphone itself must be officially purchased in its territory.
The NFC adapter can work with any other contactless payment applications, for example QIWI, Yandex.Money, Mobile Wallet, Beeline card, mobile banks TKS, Sberbank online, Privat24 (Ukraine), etc.
Sensors
The fingerprint scanner on the Samsung Galaxy S8 has moved from the mechanical Home button (which is no longer there) to the rear surface of the case, to the right of the main camera. Its location is perhaps one of the few controversial aspects of the new flagship - when unlocking it is easy to leave a greasy imprint on the lens.
The reason for this is most likely the desire of the Koreans to be different from countless Chinese smartphones, which have a round fingerprint sensor on the back cover. But embedding it under the screen turned out to be too expensive and technically complex.
But the Galaxy S8 has a front-facing iris scanner. It should have been popularized last year Galaxy Note 7, however, due to the explosion hazard, Samsung had to discontinue the product altogether and, if possible, recall the entire production run.
Among the set of other sensors, it is worth noting the presence of an accelerometer, gyroscope, distance sensor, barometer, heart rate meters and blood oxygen saturation level.
Audio
Samsung has never really focused on the music capabilities of its flagships. All we can say is that they always sounded great. Those who needed to listen to tracks loudly on a smartphone without headphones, and even stereo with “good” bass, purchased more affordable “youth” devices.
According to rumors, the Galaxy S8 has a very decent DAC from C-MEDIA, which means you don’t have to worry about the sound quality. In addition, the Koreans, unlike Apple and Lenovo, did not throw out the usual 3.5 mm jack. So the owners of the new “Galaxy” will be spared inconvenient adapters and the need to find special headphones.
Battery and power
Like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S8 has a built-in 3000 mAh battery. Due to the non-removable design and the presence of a sealed waterproof smartphone case, its replacement is recommended only at an authorized service center.
The device potentially supports fast charging using Quick Charge 4.0 technology, which allows you to charge it for four hours of use in 5 minutes. In 15 minutes, the gadget's battery is replenished by 50% from zero. The only requirement is the presence of an appropriate charger(included in the kit).
Support for wireless charging in accordance with the Qi and PMA standards has not gone away and has been developed, which has become even faster (but cannot yet be compared with wired charging).
Software
Despite having its own Tizen mobile OS, Samsung continues to use Android in its flagships due to its enormous popularity among users and developers, as well as the presence of a huge number of applications in the Google Play store.
operating system
Samsung Galaxy S8 runs under a relatively relevant today Android versions 7.0 Nougat.
At least for the next couple of years, the gadget should receive current updates to new versions of the mobile OS from Google, as well as built-in system software from the manufacturer.
Samsung voice assistant Bixby
One of the important features of the new flagship from South Korea is a “smart” voice assistant called Bixby. It is based on the developments of Viv Labs, which once created Siri, a similar solution for Apple devices.
Viv Labs introduced the new assistant in May 2016. The still crude product was highly appreciated by both IT experts and ordinary users. It is not surprising that Samsung soon simply acquired the company with all the developments in the field of artificial intelligence and speech recognition.
According to ETnews, Bixby already supports 7-8 languages (including Chinese and Korean), while built-in in the latest versions Android Google Assistant - only 4. When support for the Russian language will appear is not yet known.
It is reported that third-party developers may release their own extensions for the new Galaxy S8 voice assistant.
P.S. For now, Bixby is only available in South Korea. Everyone else will have to make do with Google Assistant for the time being.
Dimensions, etc.
According to data published online from accessory manufacturers (primarily cases), the dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy S8 are 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm (159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm in the case of the Galaxy S8+), that is, they are quite consistent with the idea of a “classic” smartphone.
Long, frameless, with an excellent camera and top performance
Recently, Samsung officially presented its long-awaited flagship smartphones Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. 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 overall design to the location 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
- RAM(RAM) 4 GB, inner 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 comes with a USB Type-C connecting cable, network adapter with variable output current and voltage 5/9 V 1.67/2 A, key unusual shape to remove cards, a Micro-USB to USB Type-C adapter, a second USB to USB Type-C adapter.
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.
 |
 |
The curved edges of the front glass work in conjunction with the corresponding software in the same way as in previous models of the series Galaxy Edge. Above the screen you can find a full range of elements, including an LED event indicator and even an iris scanner.
The scanner works reasonably well, but the process of setting the lock and constant recognition is quite tedious, because this system only works in certain lighting 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 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, 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 is no different from neighboring elements, it is difficult to find it blindly, you need to get used to it. In general, this is perhaps the most unusual and inconvenient location option so far. of this element Of all the ones we've encountered before, 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 edge, here it is adjacent to separate key to call the Bixby smart assistant, with which you can work with available services and applications using 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 Galaxy cases S8+, 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.
 |
 |
The display brightness can be adjusted manually or set to 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.
 |
 |
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 (brightness according to photographs 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 Samsung Galaxy S8+ screen 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 the white field is displayed in full screen and when manual control its brightness maximum value was 370 cd/m² under normal conditions and rises to 580 cd/m² in very bright light. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that in in this case The smaller the area of white on the screen, the brighter it is, meaning 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 you 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 white field (except for slight darkening and change in shade 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 goes to the 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 samsung screen The Galaxy S8+ visually looks much brighter (compared to LCD screens), since the screen of a mobile device often has to be viewed 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 on Samsung smartphone at an angle 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. Approximating indicator power function is equal to 2.09, which is slightly less than the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve deviates little from the power-law 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 be ignored in most cases, 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 recall 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 front flash You can use bright “fill” backlighting 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.
 |
 |
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 an intelligent Bixby assistant, which should recognize shooting objects, find places and translate texts from the screen.
Using the Camera2 API you can transfer camera control third party applications. It is also possible to save pictures in RAW.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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)
 |
Good sharpness across the frame. |
 |
Good detail in the background. |
 |
For indoor shooting, the detail is excellent. |
 |
The camera handles small and complex details well. |
 |
Good detail when shooting at dusk. |
 |
The text is well done. |
 |
The camera copes well with macro photography. |
 |
Good sharpness across the frame and in the plans. |
 |
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 |
 |
 |
|
Lighting ≈3200 lux. |
|
 |
 |
|
Lighting ≈1400 lux. |
|
 |
 |
|
Lighting ≈130 lux. |
|
 |
 |
|
Lighting ≈130 lux, flash. |
|
 |
 |
|
Lighting<1 люкс, вспышка. |
|
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
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 control 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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
As already mentioned, the smartphone’s camera is connected to the Bixby intelligent assistant, which must recognize subjects, 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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
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.
 |
 |
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 headroom 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.
 |
 |
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 |
 |
 |
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) |
 |
 |
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 for, at a minimum, a meeting with the Bixby assistant, which has been brought to mind, 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:
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. The “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, you don’t need to press anything. 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 the unlocking of 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 the 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 for “back” and 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 the 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 S-Voice, because the strategy is already visible here, and not a banal race for the presence of 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.
