Galaxy S8 accessory guides

How to use Galaxy S8 screen zoom ?

Last updated on: October 22, 2017 · First published on: August 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

You can use Galaxy S8 screen zoom to adjust the display of almost all pages (and all apps) in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Galaxy S8 screen zoom is a customized Android Nougat feature of display size. But they are different in adjusting the size of app icons in home screen and apps screen, and in controlling the size of the lock screen keypad.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains you what Galaxy S8 screen zoom is, when you need it, and how to use this feature in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What is Galaxy S8 screen zoom? Why you need it?

Prior to Android Nougat, you can only adjust the font size for the system display (e.g., text size in Settings page).

And some system display settings are even hard-coded and you cannot change them at all. For example, the notification text does not change with font size in most Android phones.

So, in Android Nougat 7.0, Google added a feature named display size, with which you can adjust all display elements. And it works in all apps.

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung, as usual, customized display size and rebrand it as Galaxy S8 screen zoom.

In addition to changing the name from display size to screen zoom, Samsung also changed a few features in display size. For example:

Screen zoom does NOT affect lock screen keypad size in Galaxy S8 and S8+. Samsung hard-coded the keypad in Galaxy S8 lock screen. In stock Android Nougat, you can adjust the keypad size with display size.
Screen zoom does NOT affect app icon size in Galaxy S8 Home screen and Apps screen. In Galaxy S8, you need to use screen grid to adjust the app icon size. In stock Android Nougat, app icon

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How to use Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: July 31, 2017 · First published on: August 1, 2017 8 Comments

You can use Galaxy S8 quick settings bar to toggle on and toggle off some features on-the-fly.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ also have a full-page quick settings panel with more quick setting buttons for you to change the phone settings conveniently without opening phone settings.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains the difference between quick settings bar and quick settings panel in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, and how to use and customize Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What is Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Although you can change almost all settings of Galaxy S8 and S8+ in the Settings page, you may want to access some settings quickly, e.g., quickly toggle on/off WiFi or Bluetooth very often.

Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+ are exactly designed to address such demands.

Actually, this is a feature in almost all Android phones nowadays, although the implementation differs from manufacturers to manufacturers.

In Android Nougat, an additional quick settings bar was officially added to the notification panel.

But Samsung has used the quick settings bar for many years, together with the quick settings panel.

Anyway, Galaxy S8 quick settings includes two components:

Quick settings bar in notification panel.
Dedicated quick settings panel.

The quick settings bar offers more convenience for you to turn on/off some features. You may consider it as an quicker feature of quick settings panel.

Another commonly used, but unrelated “quick” feature is Galaxy S8 camera quick launch.

How to access Galaxy S8 quick settings bar in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

You can swipe down from top of the screen (status bar) to access Galaxy S8 quick settings bar as shown below.

This is actually the notification panel. As mentioned, quick settings bar … Read the rest

Everything about Galaxy S8 Alcantara Cover

Last updated on: July 18, 2017 · First published on: July 18, 2017 4 Comments

Samsung introduced the Galaxy S8 Alcantara cover for Galaxy S8 and S8+. These are the first Android phone cases made with the premium material of Alcantara.

Although Alcantara is not new, but an Android phone case made by Alcantara is new to most users.

This Galaxy S8 accessories guide explains what is Alcantara, the advantages (and disadvantages) of Galaxy S8 Alcantara cover and whether such Alcantara covers are the right case for your Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What is Alcantara in Galaxy S8 Alcantara Cover for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Alcantara actually refers to 3 related and different entities:

Alcantara is a proprietary synthetic composite material.
Alcantara is the trademark of this material.
Alcantara is the company manufacturing this material and owning the trademark. The full name of the company is Alcantara S.p.A.

For Galaxy S8 Alcantara cover, we are interested in the “material” of Alcantara.

Alcantara was developed by a Japanese scientist in early 1970s. The recipe is still a secret and only Alcantara S.p.A. produces and distributes the material.

Alcantara emulates the organic material of suede, but offers greater stain and abrasion resistance than suede.

Instead of offering one “material”, Alcantara can be easily customized in color, thickness, technical properties (e.g., water repellence, fire retardancy and breathability), and surface finishing (e.g., printing, embossing, embroidery and electro-welding).

In short, Alcantara feels like suede with even better abrasion resistance and durability, and more customization options.

In many high-end cars, Alcantara were used in spots which were susceptible to stains. You can also find Alcantara in yachts, airplanes, furnitures, consumer electronics (e.g., Sennheiser’s Momentum On-Ear headphone and Surface Pro Signature Type Cover) and accessories.

Advantages of Galaxy S8 Alcantara Cover for Galaxy S8 and S8+

Compared to other back covers for Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S8 Alcantara … Read the rest

Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover guide

Last updated on: July 19, 2017 · First published on: May 8, 2017 190 Comments

As one of the official Samsung accessories for Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover offers moderate protection for your phone and some unique features at the same time.

This Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover guide explains the unique features of the cover, how to use this cover, how to customize LED icons for individual contacts and apps, and the advantages and disadvantages of this cover, to help you decide whether this case (cover) is right for you.

Please note, Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover for S8 and S8+ are different in size. The features of the two covers are identical although in this guide Galaxy S8 is used.

So you need to make sure you get the correct one (for S8 pr for S8+) when you order a Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover.

Unique features of Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover?

Samsung Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover is more than a smartphone cover.

There is an interior pocket that can store cards. On the outside, Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover can show your notifications with special LED icons.

Compared to other Galaxy S8 covers or cases, Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover offers some unique features including:

Notifying incoming calls, messages, time, battery charging, low battery alert, music playing.
Storing your cards.
Answering or rejecting calls by swiping on the cover without opening the cover.
Turning off alarms with a swipe on the cover without opening the cover.
Designating special LED icon for individual contacts so that you know who is calling you without opening the cover.
Designating special LED icon for individual apps so that you can know which app is sending notifications.
Creating your own LED icons with the LED icon editor.
Waking up Galaxy S8 screen when you opening the

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Galaxy S8 clear view standing cover guide

Last updated on: August 22, 2017 · First published on: April 28, 2017 111 Comments

Update 1: Galaxy S8 clear view standing cover is now fully compatible with always-on display following the always-on display update on June 1, 2017. You can enable always-on display for the Galaxy S8 clear view cover.

Galaxy S8 clear view standing cover is an updated version of Samsung’s clear view cover series. In some regions it is also referred to as S View flip cover.

This Galaxy S8 accessories guide explains you the main features of Galaxy S8 clear view standing cover and how to use them. We also explain to you the advantages and disadvantages of Galaxy S8 clear view cover.

Although Galaxy S8 is used in the guide, Galaxy S8+ has an equal Galaxy S8+ clear view standing cover with identical features, but with different size.

When ordering a cover, you need to make it clear it is for Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+. They are not interchangeable due to different sizes of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Main features of Galaxy S8 clear view standing cover

Galaxy S8 clear view standing cover is a flip cover, which covers both front screen and back panel (also glass) of Galaxy S8 or S8+.

The key features of Galaxy S8 clear view cover include:

Front of Galaxy S8 clear view standing cover is translucent.
You can view the time, battery life, notification counts, incoming calls and messages without opening your case.
You can respond to incoming calls, alarms and events when the cover is closed.
Built-in kickstand. You can easily watching videos when your hands are busy.
You can use it as a spare mirror when screen is off (not serious, but not joking).
Galaxy S8 clear view cover automatically recommends Galaxy S8 themes matching the color of the phone and the cover.

Compared to clear … Read the rest

Package contents in Galaxy S8 box

Last updated on: April 23, 2017 · First published on: April 23, 2017 9 Comments

After unboxing Galaxy S8 or S8+, you need to know package contents in Galaxy S8 box so that you can understand the usage of each items.

Please note, in different regions, the package contents in Galaxy S8 box may be slightly different.

For Galaxy S8 and S8+, the package contents are identical except the phone.

In this guide, although we often just refer to Galaxy S8, everything also applies to Galaxy S8+.

What are the package contents in Galaxy S8 box?

As shown in the picture below, in a Galaxy S8 box you can find at least 8 items, including:

the phone, which is the top deck.
USB type-C cable;
adaptive fast wall charger;
USB connector;
micro USB connector;
ejection pin;
AKG earphone; and
additional earphone gel tips.

Of course, there are some get-started leaflets and safety manual not shown in the picture below.

Usage of package contents in Galaxy S8 box

In addition to the Galaxy S8 phone (or Galaxy S8+ phone), all of the accessories in the Galaxy S8 box can help you in some special ways.

USB type-C cable

You need to use the USB type-C cable to charge Galaxy S8 battery unless you use wireless charging.

USB cable can also be used to connect to your PC or other devices to transfer data.

Please note, Galaxy S8 and S8+ use USB type-C port. The USB cable in the package is a USB type-C cable (normal Type-A to Type-C). You should never insert your old micro USB cable directly into Galaxy S8 or S8.

The USB Type-C connector is symmetric. You can insert the cable into the phone in either orientation.

Wall charger

The included wall charger in Galaxy S8 box is an adaptive fast charger.

You can … Read the rest