Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - The Samsung Galaxy S8 encompasses intuitive functionality encased in a well-designed body with an exquisite finish.
After the Note 7 debacle, which saw numerous reports of exploding Samsung phones around the world, the South Korean company has undoubtedly redeemed itself with the S8 – the first smartphone launched after the saga.
The device is clearly designed ahead of its time, so much so that one might assume the S8 was pulled from Samsung’s research and development department, scheduled to be released only in 2018 or 2019.
Infinity display
Touted as the most notable design change and highlighted feature of the device, the Infinity Display spans almost the entire face of the device.
READ: How Samsung's Galaxy S8 goes beyond the Edge
The Infinity Display is stylised by the previous ‘Edge’ variations of the S and Note series; however, the S8 is the first device to offer only an edged display and not a flat face.
The edged Infinity Display helps the S8 achieve the bezzleless display heavily marketed in adverts for the device around the country.
The display also offers a never-before-seen aspect ratio: whereas HD TVs offer viewers a 16:9 ratio, the S8 delivers an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, adopting the format dimensions of a cinema display.
The display also makes the smartphone the first ever to be HDR certified.
Cameras
Although the S8’s predecessor featured an 8 megapixel facing camera, the current model captures the most vivid selfies with an upgraded camera with the same amount of megapixels – so sharp and clear that they can be mistaken for having been taken with a rear camera.
The facing of course further enhances selfies, with the Beauty Mode for Instagram enthusiasts looking for that more unnatural effect.
In its marketing of the S8, Samsung boasted the device is “a smartphone not afraid of the dark” – from usage, this is evident.
If the user holds the S8 in a dark room, the camera detects and can even display objects in a space where the naked eye cannot see them.
The S8 maintains a 12 megapixel camera as with the S7, but sees upgraded functionality for all-round better photos.
Security
The S8 features two biometric unlocking features, the iris scanner and fingerprint scanner.
The newest security feature allows the user to unlock the device by directly staring into it.
A small window with two circles to guide the user's eyes into position displays at the top of the screen and is able to almost instantly unlock the device, even in the dark.
READ: Samsung redeems itself with the Galaxy S8
The feature is reported to be the most secure way to save the device from prying eyes and although a new security feature, it offers a natural feel when unlocking.
The fingerprint scanner on the device was moved to the back to differentiate the feature from older S devices, and is a more comfortable position for a natural hold of the device in the hand.
To buy or not to buy?
The S8 is currently one of, if not the best, smartphone ever made – not to say it won’t be pipped by other manufacturers with new releases after the S8.
However, the S8 sets the benchmark for a premium high-end smartphone for 2017.
While other smartphones feature high functionality in an unattractive body, the S8 is the perfect combination of beauty and brains - intuitive, with character from the style of its design.
The only downside of the S8 is its high price, making it the most expensive smartphone available on the market.
In its defence, the S8 trumps every smartphone from tier one manufacturers, making it worth the price.
