Samsung Galaxy S8 Smartphones Prove Most of the Rumors True

Samsung’s long-awaited Galaxy S8 smartphones have finally reached the market. The introduction of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ models, announced March 29, was one of the worst-kept mobile industry secrets in recent memory. Most of the features had been leaked to the news media well before the official introduction. But the new Samsung handsets are no less impressive for all the leaks. They come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and a new virtual personal assistant named Bixby. The Galaxy S8+ has 6.2-inch screen and the S8 has a 5.8-inch screen. They also have a new design that eliminates the physical home button and they are equipped with a camera that is a major improvement over the Galaxy S7’s. Read on to learn more about Samsung’s new Galaxy S8 models and why the company believes they will a mobile market hit.

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 handsets come with significant design changes. The handset features the so-called “Infinity Screen,” which curves on the sides. The bezel size also has been reduced at the top and bottom, eliminating the physical home button. Perhaps the biggest change is the new location of the fingerprint sensor: next to the rear-facing camera lens, which could cause smudging trouble.

Samsung will offer a Galaxy S8, with a 5.8-inch screen, and Galaxy S8+, which has a 6.2-inch display. The Galaxy S8+ also has a slightly larger battery, but runs on all the same components as the smaller model.

Samsung’s new virtual personal assistant Bixby is integrated across the mobile experience. It can handle simple tasks such as setting reminders, but where it shines is its ability to use contextual clues to provide more relevant information, Samsung said. Bixby also can be asked to perform sophisticated, location-based tasks such as, “Tell me to check my bank account when I get home.” Samsung says it will continue to add capabilities.

Samsung has bundled three security features into the Galaxy S8. Users will find a fingerprint scanner, as well as an iris scanner and a facial-recognition feature. Samsung noted those biometric markers could be used to unlock the device.

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 line ships with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. Although the processor hasn’t been benchmarked publicly, it’s believed to be the best-performing mobile processor ever released. And unlike the Galaxy S7 line, which couldn’t match the iPhone 7 in power, the Galaxy S8 could trump Apple’s handset in handling resource-intensive apps.

The Galaxy S8 features a dual-pixel 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization. On the front is an 8-megapixel sensor with an autofocus feature that Samsung says will improve selfie-taking.

Not surprisingly, the Galaxy S8 is runs Google’s Android Nougat OS. However, users will find several Samsung apps inside, including the aforementioned Bixby and Samsung Pay mobile-payment service. The smartphone also supports Samsung Health and Samsung Connect, apps that track user health and control the smart home.

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 is compatible with the company’s new DeX Station, a tool that turns the device into a desktop computer. After connecting the DeX Station to peripherals, users can work on their handset as if it’s a PC, edit information and save it all back to the Galaxy S8.

On a Galaxy S8 page on Samsung’s website, the company notes that the handset will be the first to come with its new, eight-point inspection policy. All Galaxy S8 devices are evaluated by humans, put through the paces by machines and checked for any faults. Samsung said its Galaxy S8 should be safer with these new policies.

Samsung and its carrier partners will begin taking orders March 30 for an April 21 release date. While Samsung didn’t announce pricing at the unveiling, its carrier partners have. However, pricing will vary depending on the carrier. Verizon will sell the Galaxy S8 for $720 and the Galaxy S8 for $840, while other major carriers will offer the handsets for $750 and $850, respectively. Those who don’t want to buy the smartphone unlocked can pay monthly installments to carriers. Pricing, again, will vary.