Samsung Galaxy S8 first look: looks stunning

Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus in New York.

After tons of leaks and speculation, the Galaxy S8 is finally here. Boasting a stunning design that evolves from the Galaxy S7 Edge, the S8’s biggest feature is its removal of the home button on the front of the handset allowing the S8 to have an almost bezel-less design.

Instead the S8 has a home button that’s integrated into the bottom third of the display and can be activated with a firm press on the screen, similar to the 3D Touch technology found in the iPhone.

Thanks to the increased real-estate for the screen the S8 manages to squeeze in a 5.8-inch display that boasts a resolution of 2960x1440. The S8+ meanwhile has a huge 6.2-inch display that also boasts a resolution of 2960x1440.

Both displays are the first to be certified HDR Premium which means that they should offer the same levels of contrast as some of the most state-of-the-art 4K TVs available today.

With the fingerprint sensor now kicked from the front of the phone to the back Samsung’s really pushing its iris-recognition technology as a means of locking your phone. The company claims it has made some significant improvements to both the accuracy and the speed of the system which should make it as fast, if not faster than using your fingerprint.

As we mentioned earlier the design is in many ways an evolution of Samsung’s previous phones and thus not a revolution. As such it has the same curved glass back and metal frame as the S7 Edge.

Samsung wouldn’t go too in-depth on the camera but it did say that it’s a 12MP F1.7 Dual Pixel lens with optical image stabilisation.

Simply translated that means that when it takes a picture it will actually take three at different exposures and then combine them to give you the best possible image.

This should mean that it will handle low-light images with ease. Meanwhile on the front there’s an 8MP camera.

These smart phones got impressive processor ,the Galaxy S8 features Octa-core 2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad, 64 bit processor.
The Galaxy S8 Plus sports Octa-core 2.35GHz Quad + 1.9GHz Quad, 64 bit processor.
Both the models have 4GB RAM and 64GB memory, which is also expandable via MicroSD up to 256GB.


The Galaxy S8 and the S8+ are running a lightly skinned version of Android Nougat.

With the home button now gone access to the apps screen copies that of the Google Pixel and stock Android by swiping up from the bottom of the phone.


Bixby

The biggest software feature however will be Samsung’s new personal assistant, Bixby.

Bixby is in effect Samsung’s version of Siri capable of answering questions and carrying out tasks within the device. An example we saw of Bixby was its ability to create a holiday album just by looking at the location data within each of the photos.

Bixby can also use the camera to help search for answers. In one instance we were able to point the phone at a bottle of wine and watch as it looked up information about its origins as well as tasting notes.

In addition to Bixby the Galaxy S8’s increased screen size means the phone can now functionally run multiple apps side-by-side.

Samsung DeX

“Samsung Dex” is a Galaxy S8 dock that makes your phone into a desktop

Simply attach it to the DeX dock and the phone will boot a desktop version of Android, letting you open windows, run full-screen Android apps including Microsoft Word and Excel and more.

In a move that suggests Samsung won’t be removing any features from now on, the S8 and S8+ also contain some ‘legacy’ features that including being water resistant as well as supporting wireless and fast charging via USB-C.

In terms of storage the S8 and S8+ will launch with 64GB of storage and feature a microSD card slot for expandable storage up to 256GB.

If you’re worried about power, don’t be, there’s a 64-bit octa-core processor powering the S8 along with 4GB of RAM to help with that multi-tasking.

Samsung Galaxy pre orders starts for UK today, US to start soon and later for INDIA

US carrier Verizon has stated that the ore-orders would start March 30 and customers will also get a free Gear VR with controller and Oculus content pack. Customers can choose from the $99 “Experience Box” with Gear VR and Controller, Harman Kardon headphones, and 256GB microSD card instead. The Galaxy S8 will retail for $720 or $30 per month for 24 months, while the S8+ goes on sale for $840 or $35 for 24 months.

The pre-orders with AT&T will start on the same day, i.e., March 30, but the full retail price will be higher at $750, with the option to get the Galaxy S8 for 30 months or $31.25 per month for 24 months. The S8+ retails for $850, or $28.34 per month for 30 months or $35.42 for 24 months. Also, AT&T is providing the Gear VR with controller and Oculus content pack for free.


T-Mobile has also the same retail prices for the Galaxy S8 and the S8+, but offers T-Mobile @ Work customers with a free DeX desktop dock along with in-order preorder. BestBuy is offering customers $100 if they pre-order the Galaxy S8 or S8+ from the retailer itself.

For the UK, the pre-orders will start today and will end on April 19 at different operators and retailers which includes EE, Sky Mobile, and Tesco Mobile. The Galaxy S8 costs £689 ($855) in the UK, while the Galaxy S8+ costs £779 ($967) and will be available in only two colors at the moment, Midnight Black and Orchid Grey, while Arctic Silver version arriving later. The new AKG headphones carry a price tag of $99.


Samsung India however, is yet to announce the release dates for the Indian subcontinent.