The company’s best smartphone yet.
I have been an avid Apple iPhone user for the past seven years so the thought of switching over to an Android smartphone has never really crossed my mind. Until I got hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S8+. It seriously (and surprisingly) challenged my narrow-minded perspective on the Android smartphone world.
As Samsung’s ultimate chance to win back its customers trust after the global recall of the Note 7, it has truly succeeded with its latest (and I would say greatest) smartphone. It will definitely overwhelm with delight.
Why it gets my tick of approval
Without a doubt, the screen to body ratio has the ‘wow’ factor. As a young female consumer, beauty, elegance and style sprang to mind as I unboxed the device and immediately became mesmerised by the bezel-less, dual-edge Infinity display that includes a Quad HD+ Super AMOLED screen. The best part: despite its large size, it can comfortably be operated using one hand (I was expecting to struggle).
The idea of not having a physical home button was a little unsettling at first, but when thought about, not really necessary. The viewing area has been increased to 83% and this is pure gold when watching (selected) video content on-the-go.
It was also refreshing to see such a clean interface all on one screen. After you unlock the phone, all you need to do is swipe up to see the apps. And for those who want to multi-task between things such as writing a text message and watching a video, the Snap Window feature has your back.
The front-facing camera ticked all the boxes thanks to fast autofocus with facial recognition technology (perfect for selfie enthusiasts), although it was disappointing to see the rear camera miss out on an upgrade from the S7. Despite this, pro mode and an endless selection of filters and editing tools will help you achieve that Instagram-worthy shot by adjusting colour, brightness and tone to exactly how you like it.
Unlike the iPhone 7 (which I normally use on a day-to-day basis), the headphone jack has not been abolished (phew) and I was pleasantly surprised to see AKG by Karman headphones included in the box (with three pairs of ear tips might I add) – definitely a more premium alternative to Apple’s stock standard in-ear headphones.
And although a feature available on predecessor models, fast charging capability is a big plus, particularly when compared to the mediocre charge time of the iPhone 7. Last but not least, it supports expandable storage up to 256GB with microSD card – another feature not available on the iPhone 7.
The disappointing downfalls
Security
Yes, it’s secure. You have the choice of an iris scanner, fingerprint scanner and facial recognition (although this can be spoofed by a photo), but this did prove bothersome for someone who wears glasses, and even after removing my glasses, I struggled to activate it.
It requires a very precise distance between your face and the device, and only works in certain lighting conditions (i.e. not in direct sunlight), therefore not ideal for all times of the day. You will probably want to set up the old pin or pattern to conveniently unlock the device.
Fingerprint reader
It is now located on the back of the device next to the rear camera and therefore, out of reach if holding the phone in a natural position for someone with average-sized hands. It also means the camera is prone to some smudging so you better carry a cleaning cloth.
Bixby
There is a dedicated button for the highly-anticipated voice assistant but it remains unfinished business for Aussie consumers. You will need a Samsung account and it is only available on a handful of native apps.
My verdict: I would go as far to say that the Galaxy S8 is the most sleek and stylish smartphone on the market. Although there are a couple of not-quite-perfect features, I felt distinct phone envy as I compared it to my iPhone 7.
Rating: 8/10