Samsung announced S8 and S8+ with Bixby Virtual Assistant:
The Galaxy S8 comes in two sizes – the S8 with a 5.8-inch display, measuring 148.9 x 68.1 x8.0 mm, and the S8+ with a 6.2-inch display, measuring 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm.
Samsung S8 and S8+ Specification:
Both smartphones ship with 64GB of in-built storage, with the option to increase that up to 256GB via microSD support. Galaxy S8 boasts the industry’s first 10nm chip, which Samsung claims enables heightened speed and efficiency.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 SPECIFICATIONS
- Operating System
- Android 7.0
- Dimensions and weight
- 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm, 155g
- Processor
- Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64 bit, 10 nm process
- Memory
- 4GB RAM (LPDDR4), 64GB (UFS 2.1)
- Display
- 5.8” (146.5mm)1 Quad HD+ (2960×1440), (570ppi)
- Camera
- Rear: Dual Pixel 12MP OIS (F1.7), Front: 8MP AF (F1.7)
- Battery
- 3,000 mAh, fast charging on wired and wireless, wireless charging compatible with WPC and PMA.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 is equipped with an overhauled 8MP front-facing camera with smart autofocus. Meanwhile, the rear camera sports a 12MP Dual Pixel sensor with f/1.7 to maximise performance in low-light situations.
Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ boast IP68 water and dust resistance. That means the new flagship smartphone should be able to withstand 30 minutes at around 1.5 metres depth in fresh water.
Samsung S8+ should be able to cope with some serious gaming and media, this time in the shape of a 2.3Ghz variant that will be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or a Samsung Exynos chip depending on where you are in the world.
The headphone jack remains, while charging (including fast charging) and wired data transfer is via USB-C. The battery is 3,500mAh so slightly smaller than the 3,600mAh battery in the S7 edge last year.
It is also the world’s first mobile device certified by the UHD Alliance as “Mobile HDR Premium”, meaning it lets you see the vibrant colours and contrasts that filmmakers intended while watching your favourite shows.
The fingerprint reader is now located on the back of the phone, next to the camera module, and is designed to be used with an index finger rather than a thumb. Samsung has launched facial recognition and says it has improved the iris recognition technology.
Bixby Personal Assistant:
An extra button on the left of the phone activates Samsung’s Bixby personal assistant, which uses technology acquired from startup Viv last year.
Samsung was keen that Bixby wasn’t like other personal assistants where you have to call the assistant to order – it wanted to avoid a keyphrase like ‘OK Google’ or ‘Hey, Siri’. This assistant is available in the UK from the phone’s launch. But for now it is US English only (UK English will follow this year).
Bixby has “eyes” since it is able to scan objects in the style of Google Goggles, but in this case instead of simply directing the search the Samsung assistant tries to send the user to places that add value: if we scan the label of a Bottle of wine we can visualize your information in a database in which we will have all your information and we can also buy it online.
In addition, it is perfectly understood with the application of the calendar , which has been reformulated with the aim that the assistant himself is able to get the most out of interpreting our agenda. All this is also reinforced in the home screen of the virtual assistant, who is able to offer us intelligent suggestions based on all of the above.
In short, this is a strong bet by Samsung, the most important in recent years at the software level, which tries to stand out on its main competitors with a more comprehensive approach that allows the user to take advantage of the functions of the wizard in a more intuitive way.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ will launch on the 28th April in UK and Europe. UK pre-orders will open from the 29th March until the 19th April.It will be available in two colour variants – Midnight Black and Orchid Grey – with potential availability of a third colour, Arctic Silver, to be announced in due course. Pre-order customers will receive their devices from 20th April, subject to stock availability. In the UK, the Galaxy S8 will retail at £689 and the Galaxy S8+ will retail at £779.
