With the announcement of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ in March 29, 2017, we now have one more option in the top-tier of Android phones.
But is the 5.8″ Galaxy S8 or 6.2″ S8+ a right phone for you?
Here we summarized the top 10 new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ to help you make the decision before you can get one on April 21.
#1. Galaxy S8 Infinity Display
One of the most important new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ is the infinity display.
The screen size of Galaxy S8 (5.8″) and S8+(6.2″) is bigger than last year’s Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.
But the difference is not just the size. The most obvious change is the aspect ratio.
Both Galaxy S8 and S8+ have a unique aspect ratio of 18.5:9. FYI, all previous generations of Galaxy S phones had a screen ratio of 16:9 since Galaxy S3.
This aspect ratio is similar to that in LG G6 which has a similar aspect ratio of 18:9.
Compared to the 5.1″ Galaxy S7, Galaxy S8’s display is about 18 per cent larger (in the area).
Galaxy S8 infinity display is good for:
- watching 21:9 movies. You will get less black bar area compared to the 16:9 screen.
- browsing websites. You will scroll less due to larger area. But this is only good for mobile-responsive websites.
- multi window in portrait orientation. But it is terrible in landscape mode when using split-screen view multi window mode. You may check this guide on how to use multiwindow on Galaxy S8 and S8+.
- Edge screen. Please check this guide on using Galaxy S8 edge screen.
Of course, the aspect ratio of the Galaxy S8 infinity display could be a disaster for taking photos.
For photos, 4:3 is still the mainstream. 16:9 is getting popular due to increasing number of devices with such an aspect ratio. When you want to take a 4:3 photo on Galaxy S8 or S8+, you will see massive black (wasted) screen area.
Anyway, Samsung cannot increase the width of the phone any more. So, the only way to increase screen size is increasing the height.
Finally, Samsung ditched the 2 capacitive buttons in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
Many long-term Android users hate Samsung’s implementation:
- 1). almost all other Android vendors shifted to software navigation buttons; and
- 2). the location of Back and Recent buttons in Samsung devices are opposite to other Android vendors.
In Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung needs space for larger display and therefore changes to software navigation buttons.
Although this is probably one of the most unimportant new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ for other Android users, it is a big deal for seasoned Samsung phone users.
So, by default, Samsung still use the old locations for Recent and Back buttons. But it is configurable. You may follow this guide to customize the navigation button layout and customize the background color of the navigation bar.
#3. Android Nougat 7.0
Android Nougat 7.0 is not new. Some old Galaxy devices, for example, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S6, already received the Android Nougat update.
Nevertheless, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are the first Samsung phones launched with Android Nougat.
You can expect some Android Nougat new features and some new features added to its own Android Nougat by Samsung.
Update: you can follow this guide to update Galaxy S8 or S8+ to Android Oreo, and enjoy these new Android Oreo features on Galaxy S8 and S8+.
#4. Adjustable screen resolution
This is not a new feature of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. But it is interesting.
As explained in this page, the QHD resolution for a phone is a waste most of the time and for most users.
So, in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7, Samsung allows you to adjust the screen resolution to save battery. Galaxy S8 and S8+ kept this option.
#5. USB Type C
Again, this is actually not one of the new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, even if we just talk about Samsung phones.
But the first Samsung phone with USB Type C port, Galaxy Note 7, was recalled and decreased.
It is probably safe to say USB type-C is future-proof. More and more Android vendors and accessory manufacturers will gradually move to type-C.
Please be aware of low-quality USB Type-C cables. They may damage your Galaxy S8 and S8+.
#6. Bluetooth 5.0
Galaxy S8 and S8+ are the first mobile devices adopting Bluetooth 5.0.
Based on the specs, Bluetooth 5.0 boosts twice the speed of Bluetooth 4.2, four times of the range, and 8 times of bandwidth.
For most Galaxy S8 owners, one of the most interesting new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 is that you can now pair the phone with two Bluetooth speakers/headsets and keep both active simultaneously.
Of course, to benefit from this new feature of Samsung Galaxy S8, you need some Bluetooth 5.0 accessories, which are still very limited in the market.
#7. Iris scanner and face recognition
Another new feature of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ is biometric authentication.
In addition to fingerprint, Galaxy S8 and S8+ can use iris scanner and face recognition to authenticate yourself.
Iris scanner was first introduced in Galaxy Note 7.
Face recognition is similar to trusted face in stock Android’s smart lock. But Samsung used its own facial recognition technology.
Anyway, iris scanner is more accurate, secure and faster than face recognition in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
#8. Samsung Bixby
Samsung Bixby is one of the new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ that Samsung promotes fiercely. A dedicated button was added to Galaxy S8 and S8+ for Samsung Bixby.
First, Samsung Bixby is not a direct competitor of Google Assistant, which is available in Galaxy S8 and S8+. Samsung Bixby works locally on your phone, not in the cloud as Google Assistant.
Samsung tries to add an artificial intelligence interface for you to interact with Galaxy S8 and S8+. Samsung Bixby is their solution.
Bixby offers 4 interfaces: voice (voice command), vision (relevant info on pictures you are looking at), reminder (contextual notifications) and home (a replacement of the most-hated Briefing page in the leftmost panel of the home screen).
If you want to remove Bixby home from Galaxy S8 home scree, you may follow this guide.
You can even disable the Bixby button completely in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
#9. Samsung connect
Samsung Connect in Galaxy S8 and S8+ allows you to easily activate IoT-enabled devices.
You can also manage all connected devices in your home with this app. It is more or less similar to Google Home app.
Many early adopters of IoT devices will surely welcome this new feature of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.
#10. Samsung DeX
Another innovative new feature of Galaxy S8 and S8+ is the Samsung DeX, a docker for Galaxy S8 and S8+.
The Samsung DeX Station accessory transforms the Galaxy S8 and S8+ into an Android PC.
Update: the newly launched Samsung DeX Pad can also be used by Galaxy S8 and S8+. You may check this guide on the difference between Samsung DeX Station and DeX Pad.
What’s your thought on new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+?
If you want to share your thoughts on new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, or if you have any questions on new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, please let us know in the comment box below.
You may also check our Galaxy S8 guides:
- Galaxy S8 new features guide covers all new and unique features of Galaxy S8 and S8+.
- Galaxy S8 how-to guides give you detailed step-by-step guides on using most features of Galaxy S8 and S8+.
- Galaxy S8 user manuals let you download official Samsung Galaxy S8 user manuals in your own language.
- Galaxy S8 camera guides covered everything related to Galaxy S8 camera is covered in Galaxy S8 camera guides section.
- Galaxy S8 accessories guides help you find the perfect accessories for Galaxy S8 and S8+.
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