WHAT IS THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S8?
Phones have become a little stale. Whether it's an iPhone 7, Huawei P10, Sony Xperia XZ Premium or any other flagship phone, they all look and feel the same. But just when I thought a phone couldn't surprise and delight me any more, the Samsung Galaxy S8 has proved me wrong.
From the moment I picked up the S8 – and its larger, 6.2-inch sibling the Galaxy S8+ – I realised it was even more special than I expected. This is a phone that feels innovative, a phone that I can’t help but recommend – even if it will set you back £689/$720.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 – DESIGN
Nothing comes close to the Galaxy S8 design-wise. It's the best-looking phone I've ever seen, leaving every other handset trailing in its wake.
The curved rear, as seen on the Galaxy S7, nestles perfectly in your palm, while the glass shimmers as the light hits it. The device is available in three colours – a dark black, bright silver and a grey with a blueish tinge – with no ugly white front plate in sight.
My review unit is the black option, and it’s properly black all over, with shiny sides that blend into the display. It feels like one complete piece, with the glass, screen and metal combining all together.
The volume rocker and standby switch are joined by a new button on the side. This is a dedicated Bixby button – which I'll cover in more detail in the Software section – and while it shows Samsung is taking its new virtual assistant seriously, it feels too much for Bixby to have its own button.
The S8 is thin and incredibly light at 155g, but it feels sturdy and precisely made. The last time Samsung opted for a huge change of direction with its flagship, many of the basic features were lost in the transition. Thankfully, this isn’t the case here. A microSD slot continues to sit tucked away with the nano-SIM, the criminally underrated Qi wireless charging is also present, and the device is IP68 water- and dust-resistant too, so it will survive a dunk in water for 30 minutes to depths of 1.5 metres.
Samsung has also retained the headphone jack; I'd be very surprised to hear that anyone thinks that’s a bad idea. Apple’s decision to remove a physical headphone connection looked like it might signal the demise of the 3.5mm jack, but Samsung has gone in the other direction, by including a pair of very good AKG wired buds in the box.
Like the recently launched LG G6, the front of the Samsung Galaxy S8 is almost all screen – and it's this that really makes the S8 stand out. Unlike with the G6, though, the display here melts into the sturdy metal rim
Samsung Galaxy S8 price and release date
- $35 a month on-contract in the US, $825 unlocked
- US Galaxy S8 unlocked pre-orders ship on May 31
- £779.99 in the UK and AU$1,349 in Australia
- Bundled accessories are still available in some instances
You won’t find many Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus deals because this phone just launched in the US and isn't even out in the UK yet – it's incredibly expensive, in line with its specs and features. You will find accessories bonuses, though.
In the US it’s now available at about $35 a month with a 24-month contract through carriers. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile are all selling the new phone on-contract. It launched on Friday, April 21.
Looking for that elusive unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus in the US? It costs $824.99 and pre-orders began on May 9 via Samsung and Best Buy, but you'll have to wait until May 31 for the phone to ship. Sorry, early adopters who want the absolute best right now.
The SIM-free Samsung Galaxy S8 UK price is £779.99, or you can get it on-contract through a carrier for £45-£50 a month with £0 cost upfront. In Australia it tops out at AU$1,349. It launched on April 28 in both regions.
