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Samsung Galaxy S8+ review – face unlock, bixby and more

Galaxy S8/S8+ comes with a lot of surprises, these models have already been launched in India. This Samsung Galaxy S8+ review will give you an idea how the handset performs and the new features that it incorporates.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ unboxing

Box content : Handset, user manual (English / Hindi), warranty info, USB Type C data cable, travel charger 9V/1.67A, USB to USB Type C adapter, USB to Micro USB adapter and AKG premium earphone. SAR Value of S8+ is 0.255W/Kg Head.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ Design, Display and OS

The S8+ on the first look itself will impress. This handset is unique, mesmerizing and the curved glass almost takes up the front space, simply amazing. Galaxy S8+ weight is 172 grams and thickness is 8.1mm.

The S8+ comes with a dedicated button on the left side that launches their new bixby feature. Handset is comfortable to use, frame is made of metal and there is curved glass on front as well as on the back.

SIM SLOT : Hybrid – use nano + nano SIM or nano SIM + micro SD card, 4G VoLTE supported.
LED Notification : Yes
Sensors : Accelerometer, proximity, light, magnetic, barometer, gyro, step and hall.

Screen (Infinity Display) is 6.2 inches supporting QHD+ resolution – 2960×1440 pixels. Its a curved super AMOLED screen. Color reproduction, viewing angles and touch response are very good. The screen is curved near the edges and almost covers the whole area on the front.

Though the screen size is big, because of the rectangular design and slimmer width it feels like a 5 inch screen but a but a bit lengthier.

You can change the display resolution – there are 3 options HD+, FHD+ and WQHD+. Games work on any resolution, though FHD+ is recommended.

Dedicated buttons have been removed and instead you can use the on-screen navigation buttons. The handset looks unique and different because of the front screen. It looks as if the screen has covered the handset. The screen is curved but I hardly faced any accidental touches around the edges.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ is running Android Nougat out of the box.

Samsung Galaxy S8+  Memory and Storage

There is 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM. On first boot you will get around 44GB free integral storage space and around 1.2 to 2GB free RAM. OTG is supported.

Samsung Galaxy S8+  Performance and Benchmark

The S8+ is powered by Samsung EXYNOS 9 8895 64 bit 2.3GHz octa core processor coupled with Mali G71 MP20 GPU. Performance was very smooth and handset did not heat up. Max battery temperature was 36 degrees.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ Benchmark

Quadrant : 46540
AnTuTu : 174252 / 73263
Nenamark 2 : 59.9 fps
Disk Speed :  522 MB/s read / 218 MB/s write
Multi Touch : 10 point

Samsung Galaxy S8+ Gaming review

The handset can play high end games in WQHD+ resolution without lag and without heating up. Both Asphalt 8 and Modern Combat 5 games played really well, check the video review for Gaming action.

Galaxy S8+ Camera review

There is a 12MP AF camera on the back using dual pixel technology and the front camera is a 8MP shooter. Front camera is also AF. Both cameras come with f/1.7 aperture. There are some new camera effects. Pro mode gives you a lot of manual options.

The rear camera can record UHD (4K) videos and slow motion videos. Do check the samples in the video review listed below. Camera quality is excellent. When recording in slow motion you will need to view that on the handset and save it after selecting the slow motion frames, the saved file will then be playable in slow motion on other devices.

Camera Rating 4.5 out of 5

Samsung Galaxy S8+ rear and front camera sample

Download Original Image files (right click and save) (do not use it for commercial purpose, without permission of gogi.in).

Other features on S8+

Bixby your personal assistant

Bixby is Samsung home made personal assistant that will help you keep track of what is important. It also comes with Bixby camera that is quite intelligent, it detects objects and recommends accordingly. Check the video review.

S8+ Face unlock review

This is a unique face detection technology that works pretty well. Since we all look at the handset screen most of the time whenever we unlock, that is the only thing needed. With Face unlock you just press power button and the phone unlocks. It takes around a second for processing but pretty impressive.

This feature however will not work in dark environment or extreme low light. Face detection also does not work when you are wearing goggles.

You can use Face unlock with finger print unlock.

Finger Print

The finger print sensor has been moved at the back simply because most users would use face unlock and you can use both finger print as well as face unlock. When light is good the handset will auto unlock using face detection and when light is bad you can use finger print sensor.

IRIS

The S8+ also comes with IRIS biometric feature. You can use that feature too for say Samsung Pay etc, and can also be used for phone unlock but every time you will need to swipe to enable IRIS hence not a good option for phone unlock. IRIS authentication is pretty fast and accurate.

Samsung pay

This handset supports Samsung Pay, you can easily make payments using the handset without having to swipe the card, just use app, authenticate and bring the phone closer to the POS. Check How to use Samsung Pay video, listed below.

Samsung SHealth

The S8+ comes with step counter and by default starts monitoring your physical activities i.e. only the steps taken, calories burned and you don’t need a wearable device.

Sound is loud and clear, no issues with networks, VoLTE worked. The AKG premium earphones provided is really awesome. There is heart rate sensor too, on the back.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ battery review

This S8+ comes with 3500 mAh non-removable battery with fast charging support. On a full charge you can expect 4 to 6 hours non-stop moderate to heavy usage. One would easily get a day of battery life with mixed moderate usage.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ Battery Performance (time / battery % drop / estimated battery temperature)

  • Running Benchmark app – 10 minutes /4% /  34 degree
  • Asphalt 8 + MC5 game play – 28 minutes / 8% / 36 degree
  • 4K video play back – 22 minutes / 6% / 35 degree

It took me 1 hours 30 minutes to charge the handset from 5% to 100% using wall charger. Fast charging is also supported using wireless charger.

Samsung Galaxy S8+ review verdict

Excellent premium smartphone that does come for a price but worth it. Samsung Galaxy S8 is also available that is slightly cheaper and comes with slight smaller screen.

A very good buy if you can afford just go for it.

Rating 4.8 out of 5

Samsung Galaxy S8+ is available for Rs. 64,900.