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 most beautiful 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, thin frames then you designed it! By the way, the hole of the second microphone on top is also shifted.

The scanner located at the back is, as expected, inconvenient. I use my phone all the time and I can’t say that I’ve gotten used to it. On the contrary, I developed the habit of looking at the back of the smartphone before unlocking it in order to get my finger in the right place. Otherwise I'm constantly touching the camera. Why didn't they make the scanner under the camera like everyone else?

The good news is that the scanner works quickly and immediately unlocks the smartphone, without the need to press anything. And you can also attach a gesture for lowering the curtain with notifications, like on “pixels”.

You will say that you can use the improved facial recognition feature to avoid constantly reaching for the scanner, but this is just a toy because you can simply unlock the screen with your photo. I tried it myself and it really works. And the smartphone itself warns that even someone just like you will do. This is an unreliable method of protection.

The iris scanner helps, but face unlock doesn't work. But unlocking the iris is quite slow and not always the first time. To launch the iris scanner, you need to press the lock key and swipe across the screen, which takes a long time, and then also hold the device at a certain distance and place your eyes in the circles.

If protection is important to you, but you don’t store codes for the red button on it, then I wouldn’t worry, everything works quickly in the face. And what needs to be hidden can be hidden in a protected folder, to access which you will need to enter a password. True, face unlock does not work in the dark, but there is a scanner on the back. In short, there is a choice.

Small frames on all sides are, of course, very beautiful, but is it convenient? Not really - I can only use 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 touch buttons“back” and calling up the multitasking menu, because they constantly got in the way. Now all the keys are on-screen and hidden when not needed, freeing up more free space. The home key is now also virtual, but they came up with an elegant solution for it. It is visible even on the locked screen, thanks to Super AMOLED display and Always On Display features. 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 would like to note is the new mechanical key on the left side, it is responsible for calling voice assistant Bixby, which I'll talk about a little later. Otherwise, everything is simple: on the right is the lock key, on top is a tray for a SIM card and memory card, as well as a second microphone.

Display

The screen is the main part of any smartphone, but here it is of particular importance. It is because of this that the S8 creates this very wow effect. It occupies 83.6% of the front surface, although it seems that all of it is 95. The remaining almost 16-odd percent are frames, although minimal: 6 mm at the bottom and 7 mm at the top. They were able to place everything on them: a camera, an iris scanner, sensors, and a speaker. The only thing that was removed was the Samsung logo. We will mourn him (no).

There are side frames, but they are very thin, due to the curved edges of the display.

The proportions have changed, now they are 18.5:9, and the resolution is 2960x1440 pixels. That is, it is extended upward, due to which the diagonal of the smaller model is 5.8”, and the plus version is 6.2”. But don't think that this is a phablet; the width of the entire S8 smartphone is less than a 5.5" display with an aspect ratio of 16:9. So the display is narrow and tall, and its area is comparable to the S7 and S7 Edge. It is 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 does not affect the quality, you don’t see it at least, but it saves battery. I think the setting itself is only needed for VR, so they could make it automatic. You wouldn't notice anyway.

Cameras

The main camera has not actually changed - the same 12.2 MP, aperture 1.7, the same matrix. The quality remained exactly the same, that is, very good, but, you see, we expected more. Until recently I hoped that there would be a second camera, but no. The only thing that has changed is autofocus; it has become similar to Canon’s Dual Pixel. The video is recorded in 4K with optical stabilization, and at any lower resolution, software is also connected. Therefore, the picture is very stable.

But the front camera has grown: 8 MP, video is recorded in 2K, there is software stabilization. But the main thing is that it has autofocus.

I liked the camera application, it is not overloaded, at least it doesn’t feel that way. Everything is functional, access to most functions is via swipe.

Examples of photos taken with the main camera

Examples of photos taken with the front camera

Video examples

Bixby

Bixby is Samsung's new voice assistant. I’m sure they will ignore it, like they did with S-Voice, because there is already a visible strategy here, and not a banal race for having something that speaks in smartphones. The Bixby developers once created Siri and sold it to Apple. And now Samsung has bought this company and they are creating a new generation assistant. The seriousness of the intentions is emphasized by the fact that for Bixby there is a separate (!) mechanical key on the smartphone body that cannot be reassigned (!). For now, the assistant only supports English and Korean.

The button is on the left side, under the volume key, and it’s not entirely clear to me. No matter how cool the assistant is, a separate button for it is somehow too much. Moreover, my considerations are extremely practical - this key is constantly pressed, which turns on the smartphone. And the button itself is nothing at all. If only other functions could be assigned to it. But no, only Bixby, which still doesn’t work fully for us. The Russian language is not supported, and the assistant itself looks like a toy today. Cool features are announced - deep contextual understanding, as well as object recognition in the camera. For example, I saw something, looked it up and immediately ordered it on Amazon. But it just works poorly so far and at best recognizes the type of object: bicycle, slippers, watch. It’s still difficult with specific models. However, as I already said when getting acquainted with the smartphone, Bixby is the brainchild of the creators of Siri, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Smartphone Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (Black) allows you to take photos at a professional level due to high resolution 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, this is enough for efficient work without recharging for 24 hours. The phone works on 4G networks.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (Black) smartphone can be synchronized with personal computer using a special cable that comes included. Reliable data security is ensured by fingerprint and iris scanners. The proximity sensor prevents accidental key presses during a call. Using the device, you can pay for purchases in stores contactlessly. The model accepts 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 new Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus using the OTG adapter included in the package.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 was released relatively long ago by industry standards - March 29, 2017. But thanks to the power reserve provided by the manufacturer, the smartphone remains relevant to this day. The model differs from its predecessors in its larger screen, as well as the absence of a “home” button. It has been replaced by a tactile element - it is located under the glass. A similar technology was used on the iPhone 7. Reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S8 are positive, users liked it.

The design of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is somewhat different from its analogues. The first thing you should pay attention to is that the Samsung inscription above the screen is missing. The company's engineers simply could not find a place for it. At the same time, the shape of the smartphone is unique; in terms of design, there are no analogues on the market today. What sets the phone owner apart from other smartphone users.

The flagship itself is made of glass and metal. You should be careful when using it. The device is not only slippery, but also instantly covered with fingerprints. It is worth using napkins more often - this will keep your smartphone looking attractive throughout the day. Glass completely covers the front and back sides of the case. The frame is made of metal.

The model is presented in several colors simultaneously:

• ⦁ golden;
  ⦁ blue;
  ⦁ gray;
  ⦁ black

The speakers on the back side disappeared. The case itself is assembled as reliably as possible. But there is a small gap between the glass of the front panel and the metal frame. The nail doesn't fit there. But dust will easily get in. This is especially unpleasant if the phone is black. Contamination will immediately become visible against a dark background.

On back cover There is a fingerprint sensor - right next to the lens. Moreover, the latter is now made flush with the plane of the body. There is a heart rate monitor, as well as an oxygen saturation analyzer in the user’s body.

The smartphone is good decision for those involved in sports. It is possible to keep a training diary, film automatic mode indicators of your body. A stylish and expensive case will set the S8 owner apart from other smartphone users.

Design and ergonomics

The curve of the Samsung Galaxy S8 case strongly resembles the geometry of the Note 7. But at the same time, the model in question is small and lies comfortably in the hand. Samsung comparison The Galaxy S8 easily holds its own against its closest competitor, the iPhone 8, in terms of performance and appearance. The dimensions of the model are relatively small:

• length – 148.9 mm;
• width – 68.1 mm;
• thickness – 8 mm.

Moreover, the weight is only 152 g. The model will look great both in a strong man’s palm and in thin women’s fingers. The device is universal. The geometry of the case and the location of the home button make it comfortable for everyone, regardless of the length of the fingers and the width of the palm. The S8 doesn't feel big. The main reason for this is that it is a little elongated compared to its counterparts with the same screen diagonal.

Thanks to good balancing, it is convenient to work with the phone; despite the sloping body, it does not slip out. On the left side there is a “swing” that makes it easy to adjust the volume. There is also a special key for launching the Bixby assistant. It doesn't work in our country. But can be found in Google Play special application, allowing you to easily reassign a button to another action.

Display

Samsung screen Galaxy S8 is the first thing that attracts attention. Moreover, developers and marketers together even came up with a special name for it - Infinity Display. The display occupies 97% of the front area of ​​the body and has a QHD+ resolution (2,960 × 1,440 pixels). The installed screen is of very high quality, there are no dots.

SuperAmoled matrices were used during assembly. This is the latest generation, improved in comparison with those used in the Note 7 model. The automatic brightness control algorithm has undergone significant changes, depending on external lighting conditions. Experts have improved a mode called AlwaysOn Display. Buttons located on the screen are hidden when applications are running. The display diagonal is exactly 5.8 inches.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 model began to use technologies that were previously used only in the development of televisions. In addition, the phone itself constantly analyzes the image present on the screen. Not only is there a light quantity indicator, but also an analyzer RGB colors. It independently, without user intervention, adjusts screen tones in accordance with external conditions.

Serious advantages over competitors include the use of Mobile HDR Premium technology. It was developed literally in 2017 specifically for devices that support 4K resolution. According to experts, the screen in the Galaxy S8 is the most technologically advanced in the world. Its main differences:

• automatic brightness adjustment sets 1000 candelas at maximum illumination - you can easily read even small text under sunlight;
• DCI-P3 Color is used - also used in TVs with 4K resolution;
• there are simultaneously 2 sensors that analyze the amount of light - on both front panels;
• night mode eliminates the presence of blue color in the light spectrum - this allows you to avoid excessive stimulation of the psyche;
• a separate circuit is built in to work with Always On technology, which can significantly save battery power.

Equipment

The delivery package contains a standard list of items:

1. the smartphone itself;
2. device for connecting to electrical network 220 V for battery charging;
3. paperclip – allows you to remove the tray to place a SIM card in it;
4. headset type AKG – wired type;
5. special adapter - for connecting additional equipment - OTG;
6. instructions.

Special attention deserves OTG cable. With its help, you can connect various external devices to your smartphone. Including all kinds of storage media. This USB flash drives, as well as other equipment. The AKG headset allows you to listen to music. It cannot boast of an impressive sound. But for watching movies, videos from the Internet are perfect. The device is delivered in a cardboard box.

Specifications Samsung Galaxy S8

Even a year after its release, the device remains relevant. This may be due to the characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8:

• CPU – Exynos 8895, 8 cores, 2.3 GHz each;
• built-in video accelerator – Mali-G71 MP20;
• volume of RAM (random access memory) – 4 GB;
• ROM volume (read-only memory) – 64 GB (several GB are deducted for installing the operating system).

It must be remembered that the model is produced for different markets with different technical characteristics. For example, Chinese version supplied not 4, but 6 GB random access memory. In the USA, the exclusive Samsung Galaxy S8 is sold on the Snapdragon 835 processor. This is why some devices show higher results in various synthetic tests.

Performance

Various software tests don't always show how fast the Samsung Galaxy S8 is. But it is worth noting that there is no gap at all between clicking on the application icon and launching it. Even in comparison with the S7 and Note 7, which have never had any complaints in terms of speed, the S8 is a serious winner.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the changes in terms of memory. The improvement is already visible in the transition from UFS 2.0 to UFS 2.1. This allows you to significantly reduce the time required to boot your smartphone. In addition, switching time between different applications is reduced to a minimum. It was the S8 that became the first device from Samsung equipped with UFS 2.1 memory.

Among users alternative devices There are still rumors about the slowness of Samsung smartphones. But such stereotypes are usually a consequence of the installation of a huge number of third party software to the device. Samsung Review The Galaxy S8 will give you an idea of ​​the actual performance of the device.

Cameras

It is appropriate to use the device to take pictures and record videos - samsung camera The Galaxy S8 is worthy of all praise. The front resolution is as much as 8 megapixels, while it is fast. The maximum open aperture is f/1.7. Due to this, pictures can be taken bright and sharp even with a significant lack of light. There are many built-in effects.

It seems to many that the main camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels has remained the same. Applicable Dual technology Pixel. As on more early models Sony is the supplier. Separately, we need to dwell on the increased system performance. Photos of Samsung Galaxy S8 are more saturated. The camera model has its own memory.

Due to this, the speed of work increases by an order of magnitude. There is also a comfort mode called Burst Mode. Thanks to it, you can take several dozen pictures in a row. High performance The system allows the camera to focus faster and handle complex scenes better. This is especially noticeable in comparison with the Galaxy S7.

Photo

A special feature of the Samsung Galaxy S8 photography is the ability to form a panorama with an impressive 50.6 megapixels. Which makes the quality of the pictures simply fantastic.

A high-power LED flash will highlight shadows and also make the subject more detailed in the shadows.

Video

Shooting video on the Samsung Galaxy S8 is as good as shooting photos. It is possible to shoot video up to Ultra HD resolution. Recording is carried out at a speed of 60 frames per second. There is electronic image stabilization. But only in Full HD mode. In night mode, the video will also delight the smartphone user. Dynamic range, vibrant colors and good range resolution at high ISO make shooting easy and fun.

Front-camera

The characteristics of the front camera in comparison with the external one cannot be called outstanding. But it offers a completely acceptable result. Perfect for filming yourself while traveling.

Care must be taken when working in areas with insufficient lighting. It all depends on the amount of light and other factors.

Sound and music playback quality

The sound of the Samsung Galaxy S8 deserves special attention. Since Samsung uses a completely new development in its smartphone. It constantly analyzes the actions performed by the user. For example, if the owner of a smartphone is talking on Skype, the volume in the headphones is automatically increased. All frequencies and extraneous noises that can interfere with communication are also cut off.

In addition, the smartphone constantly evaluates the sound level around the device itself. Automatic adjustment to the situation is carried out. Moreover, the sound processor does not carry out all these actions; only the amplifier is used to solve the assigned tasks.

Another “trick” of the model is the automatic recognition of repeating sounds. For example, if headphones constantly rub against clothing or skin, then the device tries to remove such noise from the music while listening to it. The sound quality depends on the headphones used, as well as the sound profiles that are used in a particular case.

Samsung has designed and assembled the included headset to the specifications of the S8. All the delights of musical compositions are perfectly revealed thanks to the Cirrus Logic SC43130 DSP. Main feature The best thing about the module is its versatility, it fits well with most headphones - no exceptions.

Communication capabilities

Like its competitors, the Samsung Galaxy S8 supports USB Type C version 3.0. This is the first smartphone of its year to feature the Bluetooth communication protocol. latest generation– 5.0. There is also aptX, as well as other built-in audio codecs for audio playback. There is an LTE module; the frequencies used will depend on the specific operator, as well as the country in which the device is used. Moreover, in an LTE network, the device shows the maximum possible data download speed.

In a network in Moscow with the cellular operator MTS, the download speed reached 430 Mbit/s. Moreover, the theoretical limit of this indicator is only 450 Mbit/s. There is dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11. There are simply no major improvements from Samsung in this direction.

operating system

At the time of release of the device, the latest operating system was installed on it - Android 7.0. The proprietary Experiense 8.1 shell is installed on top. It functions quite quickly and features proprietary animation. In some ways it is similar to similar effects in Windows.

The GPU processes all actions in the operating system as quickly as possible, without delays, lags, or artifacts on the screen.

Autonomy

Standard samsung battery Galaxy S8 has a capacity of 3,500 mAh. Charging can be done in two ways:

• via a standard USB Type C connector;
• via wireless charger.

Moreover, in the second case, recharging is carried out automatically - you just need to place the device on a special wireless station. Separately, several energy saving profiles should be noted. They became more aggressive. This allows you to save battery and extend the operating time of the device. For example, video playback time is 18-19 hours with maximum brightness.

Pros and cons of a smartphone

Samsung Galaxy S8 has its pros and cons. The main advantages include:

1. elongated display - this makes it convenient to use;
2. high-quality parts, bright screen;
3. high-quality cameras, the ability to shoot video in Ultra HD resolution;
4. comfortable interface and performance;
5. notification indicator, protection from dust and moisture;
6. external speaker volume.

There are also obvious disadvantages. The Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone is discussed in detail in the review; the main disadvantages include:

1. the case is easily soiled - fingerprints always remain;
2. the rear glass is highly scratch-prone;
3. if you use your smartphone for games, the edge of the USB connector constantly rubs your finger;
4. fragile design requires the use of a cover;
5. lack of a convenient way to quickly unlock the device.

In general, all the disadvantages are easily offset by a large number of advantages. The device copes well with all the functions assigned to it.

Comparison with competitors

The main competitor in this price category for the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the iPhone 8. Comparison of the device according to the main parameters:

• The S8's display is 5.8 inches versus 4.7 on the iPhone 8. The advantages of Samsung's product lie not only in size, but in more advanced technology and resolution;
• In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 835 processor is one step lower than the A11 Bionic. Apple's developments in this industry are products of a completely different category (this is easily confirmed by the Geekbench test);
• The cameras of these devices produce almost identical results. Apple's product has some advantage in brighter light;
• A wireless charging station comes standard with Samsung products. For an Apple product, you will need to purchase it separately;
• In terms of offline mode, both devices will not let their users down. Samsung Galaxy S8 lasts 1 hour longer in active talk mode.

Overall, both devices will be an excellent solution. But it is worth remembering that there are differences in performance and functionality. It is important to take into account the fundamental differences between operating systems.

Final review

Although Samsung model Galaxy S8 was released a relatively long time ago (more than 1 year ago) and is still in high demand in stores. The reason for this is good performance, high-quality images and long battery life. It is worth remembering that the use of this device Without a cover there is a risk of scratches on the rear window. There are other operating nuances.

Samsung Galaxy S8 shows good performance regardless of the installed processor. The quality of communication is at the highest level. The ability to work with Wi-Fi in two bands simultaneously deserves special attention. Another advantage is that the cost of the model decreased significantly within a year after its release.

Samsung Galaxy S8 is the flagship from the company, which was released in 2017 and amazes with its appearance and technical characteristics

The official release date of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is March 29, 2017, when it was presented in New York new flagship. The peculiarity of the device’s positioning is not copying developments from its main competitor, Apple, but the development of a high-quality, different smartphone, which at the time of its release was considered the most technically advanced device running the Android system available on the market.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

If we compare it with the previous, “seventh” series, we can safely say that the presented phone was not just a reworking of the previous device, but thanks to a large number of innovations, it is a qualitatively new device.

The company traditionally decided to release two modifications of the device at once - the regular Samsung S8 and a phone with the Plus prefix, which only means an increased screen diagonal. There are no more variations, which simplifies the choice of the user, who does not need to rush between choosing the optimal values ​​of RAM or permanent memory. The most important thing is to determine comfortable dimensions for yourself.

The two models (S8/S8+) are distinguished only by screen diagonal and overall dimensions

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

It should be noted that the “senior” model of the line received a display diagonal size almost equal to the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which was released at the same time, the characteristics of which differ fundamentally only in the presence of a stylus and a dual main camera.

The review of the Galaxy S8 should begin with the package contents and design of the model. The device comes in a beautiful matte box, on which blue letters are engraved, indicating the letter code of the model. The most interesting thing for the user is hidden under the lid, which folds back like a box. The package is worthy of a flagship and is quite complete. All components are located in their own cell.

The device comes with a rich set of components, which is typical for flagship devices.

In addition to the smartphone itself, lying on a plastic platform, inside the box the user will find:

• charger with adjustable output current and voltage (5/9 V and 1.67/2 A);
• connective USB cable Type-C;
• adapter from micro-USB to USB Type-C;
• USB to USB Type-C adapter;
• a paperclip for removing the SIM card tray;
• documentation.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

At the start of sales, the set included in-ear headphones from AKG, made using dual-driver technology and having a fabric-braided wire that prevents damage. Also included is a set of interchangeable in-channel pads.

The first thing that attracts anyone who picks up a smartphone without yet knowing the exact technical characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the design. The device is an elongated “bar”, in which there is not a drop of plastic. All surfaces are made of glass and metal. The beveled edges give the device a streamlined shape. There is a metal frame around the perimeter of the case, which symmetrically narrows on the sides and widens at the top and bottom. It is used to connect two glass panels. Their coating is made of modern protected glass Gorilla Glass 5.

The absence of frames makes the phone truly borderless and allows you to enjoy clear and high-quality images

The rear surface is absolutely symmetrical, and all the curves exactly follow the curves of the front panel. The edges of the glass are bent so strongly that the connecting seam is almost invisible. That is why critics have dubbed the new product from Samsung a “smartphone without borders.”

The smartphone screen turned out to be elongated due to the company’s use of a non-standard aspect ratio – 18:9 as opposed to the usual – 16:9. The complete absence of frames on the sides has led to the acquisition of such a narrow body that even the older model, which has a screen diagonal of 6.2 inches, is quite convenient and comfortable to hold with one hand. The overall dimensions of the smartphone are as follows: length – 148.9 mm, width – 68.1 mm, height – 8 mm with a weight of 155 g.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

The back, made of glass, has a fingerprint scanner, the size and shape of which has raised many questions from users and experts

The device was completely lost physical button“home”, which became completely on-screen. One of the interesting “tricks” is the slight displacement of the key each time the smartphone is activated. This is dictated by the desire to prevent the risk of pixel burnout when displaying a static image.

Despite all the beauty and convenience of the design, a significant fly in the ointment that overshadows admiration for the technical characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the poor placement of the fingerprint scanner. It is located on the rear panel, but the size of the sensor is significantly reduced compared to accepted standards, and it is oriented vertically. As a result, when unlocking blindly, there is a high probability of touching the camera lens with your finger.

According to their own technical specifications Samsung Galaxy S8 is one of the most advanced smartphones on the market. Even the release of the next model (S9) could not shake the popularity of the flagship, since, as in the case of IPhone 7 and 8, there were no significant changes, but the cost was increased. Therefore, you can simply buy a Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone and not chase the “raw” “nine”.

The lack of hardware buttons under the screen is compensated for by on-screen keys

Main characteristics of Samsung Galaxy S8

The table briefly summarizes the main parameters of the model, in terms of technical features.

Parameter	Characteristic
CPU	Samsung Exynos 8895 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
OS	Android 7.0 (out of the box).
Display	Super Amoled 5.8 inches.
SIM card format	Nano-SIM, 2 pieces.
Cameras	Main - 12 MP, front - 8 MP.
Battery	Built-in 3000 mAh.
Memory card support	MicroSD up to 257 GB.
Network formats	GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) WCDMA/HSPA+ (850/900/1900/2100 MHz) FDD LTE Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66. TD LTE Band 38 – 41.
Wireless interfaces	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC.
Wireless charging support	Available.

To complete the review, we should look at the main parameters in more detail.

Processor type and memory parameters

The company produces two modifications that differ in the type of processor. For Europe and the CIS countries, the device is equipped with Samsung’s own SoC Exynos 8895. This stone represents the 9th generation of this type processors. Its work is based on the use of a 4+4 soldering: the first four cores are ARM Cortex-A-53 with a clock of 1.7 GHz, which are necessary to perform simple tasks, and the second is represented by custom Exynos M1 cores with clock frequency 2.3 GHz. They are connected when it is necessary to process heavy games or solve complex algorithms.

The device is available on the market in a wide range of colors

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

The main difference between the new processor and other models is the presence of a qualitatively new Mali G71-MP20 graphics accelerator, which provides maximum performance gains.

The results of the main tests demonstrate that the company's use of its own development had a positive effect on power. The results of testing in the main synthetic benchmarks are as follows:

1. AnTuTu: 174 155.
2. Quadrant Standard: 43 185.
3. PCMark: 5,371 (Work 2.0), 6,034 (Work 1.0).
4. PCMark Storage: 4 421.
5. 3DMark: 3 159.
6. Vellamo: 7,269 (browser), 3,324 (Metal graphics), 3,621 (multi-core test).
7. Geekbench 4.0: 1,974 (single-core), 6,339 (multi-core).

According to the results Galaxy tests S8 is almost as good as the flagship iPhone 7 Plus

There is also a modification that uses the most powerful Snapdragon from Qualcomm – 835. Similar smartphones Available only for the US market. If we talk about memory, it should be noted that the company did not endow its device with the most advanced capacity. RAM is only 4 GB, which is standard even for budget models.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

A significant breakthrough was the use of a new data exchange format when using memory. The Samsung Galaxy S8 implements the UFS 2.1 standard, which reduces the load time of the smartphone and switching between programs.

The permanent memory in the device in the basic configuration is 64 GB. The manufacturer has taken the path of increasing the amount of available space. This is due to the development of digital technology, as well as the technical capabilities of the smartphone camera, which allows you to take pictures with a resolution of 4032x3024 pixels, which take up a lot of space. It is also possible to shoot video in Ultra HD format. A video like this also requires free space.

The smartphone has a Samsung matrix with a resolution of 1440×2960 pixels. Distinctive feature is the ability to change the display quality in the settings. You can set the resolution up to 2960×1440 or WQHD+. SuperAMOLED screen with 570 ppi dot density.

Since the device is a flagship, it accordingly has a top-end version of the matrix, which provides maximum viewing angles and good visibility even in bright sunlight. There are many settings, including the adjustment of blue light, which can reduce eye strain when using a smartphone at night.

Various screen display modes are available in the settings, the selection of which is based on the subjective desires of the user

Despite the non-standard aspect ratio, which is not always convenient when watching videos or playing games, the manufacturer has included in the settings the ability to adapt content for user comfort. When this function is activated, the picture is displayed in full screen.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

The screen occupies 83.6% of the front surface of the smartphone, the remaining space is given over to minimal upper and lower frames with a thickness of 6 and 7 mm, respectively. Due to the rounded edges, it visually seems that the screen covers almost the entire front part.

Communications

The communication capabilities of the smartphone include support for all major communication formats, even the most advanced LTE Cat.16 technology. According to the developers, the implementation of support for this format made it possible to increase the speed of data reception/transmission by 20% compared to the previous generation.

The AlwaysOn Display function allows you to display a clock, picture, photo or event notifications on the screen

Wireless technologies implemented in the Samsung Galaxy S8 include the use of a dual-band Wi-Fi transmitter and a 5th generation Bluetooth module. The built-in navigation module can work efficiently with both the Russian GLONASS system and the Chinese Beidou satellites. The cold start speed is only a few seconds with maximum positioning clarity. The device also has a built-in magnetic compass.

Multimedia Features Overview

The device is equipped with two cameras. The front one has a resolution of 8 megapixels and does not have its own flash, but is equipped with a fast lens with an aperture size of f/1.7. It also supports intelligent autofocus, which is necessary to implement face recognition when unlocking the screen, and allows you to get a better picture.

The camera has many settings, including preset shooting modes, called up by swiping from left to right across the screen in photo mode

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

The algorithms used when processing photographs from the front camera will appeal to the fair sex, since excessive smoothing is observed. In the picture this is reflected in the almost complete absence of wrinkles.

The main camera (which is only one) has a resolution of 12 MP, the aperture size is the same - f/1.7, pixel diameter - 1.4 microns. Additionally, to get the best shot, an optical stabilization system and Dual Pixel technology are used to achieve ultra-fast focusing when it is necessary to capture sudden movements in low-light conditions. The manufacturer used the matrix from the previous S7 Edge model in the main camera, providing it with several improvements. As a result, in low-light conditions, built-in processing mechanisms are activated, which allow you to achieve better image detail and reduce the amount of noise. In general, it should be noted that the pictures are saturated, the automatic HDR system does not lead to overexposure of areas of the frame.

The Bixby assistant, which is called up by pressing a single button on the left side, is practically useless in the Russian Federation

In the camera settings, you can select several shooting modes with preset parameters. There is a function for shooting food, an animated panorama, slow-motion mode and taking photos with selective focus.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

An interesting new feature of the camera is the virtual shooting mode, with which the user can create three-dimensional image, photographing the subject from all sides.

Additionally, the camera is connected to the Bixby assistant, which allows you to determine shooting locations, find information about the subject in the photo on the Internet, or translate it into electronic view texts from the screen. Listening to music is not implemented in the best way in the device. There is no own player, so you have to listen to all music content through a service from Google called Play Music, which does not have the most convenient and user-friendly interface. It is possible to build sound quality using a powerful set manual settings and presets.

Battery and power

The device uses a built-in 3000 mAh battery. The characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus are further distinguished by the use of a more capacious battery (3500 mAh). This is due to the larger display diagonal.

The battery supports wireless charging. The charger itself supports fast charging. The time to fully replenish the battery at a voltage of 5 V is about 1.5 hours.

The lifespan of a smartphone in various modes of use is:

• reading e-book– 21 o’clock;
• video viewing – 14.5 hours;
• games – 5 hours.

In normal use ( telephone conversations, checking email, surfing the Internet) the smartphone can last throughout the day. There is also a performance mode setting that unloads unused applications from memory and activates a power-saving mode.

Software

Samsung Galaxy S8 firmware out of the box presented operating system Android 7.0, which is slightly modified by the proprietary one Samsung shell Experience. At the same time, the manufacturer is already carrying out a massive update to Android OS 8.0, which can be obtained over the air. To the manufacturer’s credit, it should be noted that the amount of pre-installed software is minimal. These are the necessary services from Google, custom Samsung applications (notes, browser, control system " smart home", a tool for migration from other phones, applications for monitoring your own health). Also available office applications(Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

There are no hardware keys. They are replaced by a central home key, which has feedback. The menu is called up by swiping from top to bottom or bottom to top on the screen.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION!

Side faces can be active. Applications with the Edge prefix are responsible for this. In particular, you can configure the ability to quickly call a specific contact.

Also one of the new products software can be seen as the appearance of a protected folder, which should be selected in the settings menu. This storage allows you to safely store any information.

You can add frequently used applications to the sidebar and quick call subscribers

Contactless payment options

The smartphone has NFC module, which makes it possible to make contactless payments. You can install Google Pay or use the built-in system called Samsung Pay. It allows you to register several cards at the same time and select them when paying. The application can be launched even from a locked screen, and payment can be activated using a PIN code or a fingerprint scanner.

Thanks to the presence of an NFC module and support for Samsung Pay, you can pay with one touch of your phone

Additional features

From additional features, which the Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone offers, can be unlocked using FaceID or iris scanning. The function, unlike the Apple X, is implemented at a decent level and does not allow false positives; you can unlock the device even in complete darkness. Problems can only arise when hit directly sun rays on the screen when the smartphone is activated.

You can unlock your smartphone with your eyes; similarly, you can set up login to a website that requires you to enter passwords.

	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, 26 mm focal length (35 mm film equivalent), phase detection autofocus, optical stabilization images, LED flash, 4K video recording, video+photo simultaneously
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 remaining characteristics of the Samsung 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 its own design and Qualcomm Snapdragon 835.

This year there was a very interesting turn, which has not yet been noticed by everyone. New Generation mobile processors performance is slightly superior 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). We 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 clocked at 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, the new Galaxy S8 allows you to expand 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 external USB drives with a 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 in Chinese manufacturers and will be quite familiar to many.

Of course, most of the free space will be taken up by on-screen controls, but in games and other full-screen applications Galaxy owners S8 will be able to fully enjoy the benefits of a large diagonal.

And this time Samsung will equip all modifications of its flagship without exception curved screen like 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 reduced to FullHD+ (1080 x 2220) or HD+ (1480 x 720) to improve speed and battery life.

Camera

Contrary to expectations, Samsung did not equip the Galaxy S8 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- 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, the specific list of cellular frequencies and standards 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 terms of communication capabilities, the Galaxy S8 is literally packed to the brim. 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 features such as file transfer and distribution mobile internet Bluetooth 5.0 provides advanced capabilities for controlling a variety of wearable gadgets. Lately this direction is becoming 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 Wi-Fi support 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 provides previously unavailable navigation capabilities.

So, in addition to standard A-GPS, GLONASS and Beidou, the smartphone can be used for more precise definition coordinates of satellites of the European Galileo system, as well as QZSS, SBAS correction.

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 port Type-C 1.0, data transfer speed complies with 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 Koreans to be different from countless others. Chinese smartphones, which has 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 was supposed to be popularized by last year’s Galaxy Note 7, but due to the explosion hazard, Samsung had to discontinue the product altogether and recall, if possible, the entire circulation.

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 musical possibilities their 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 in 5 minutes for a full four hours of use. 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 on the relatively current version of Android 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 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 manufacturers of accessories (primarily cases), Samsung dimensions The Galaxy S8 measures 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+), which is quite consistent with the idea of ​​a “classic” smartphone.