Galaxy S8 Reviews: Full-Front Display Scores Top Marks, But Rear Fingerprint Scanner is Awkwardly Positioned

[8692574]

Apple is the trend setter and there is really no debate about it.

This is a trend setter!!

And yes Apple is not the only one "innovative". open your eyes!!

 

[Dethklok]

Apple is the trend setter and there is really no debate about it. the market shifts after apple releases their products that is just fact.

I'd agree with you maybe 4 or 5 years ago. This isn't the case anymore. Apple is putting out one tech blunder after the other. I would argue Samsung are the trendsetters in mobile now, especially if the iPhone copies their curved screen.

Additionally people are becoming more aware of Apple's technological shortcomings with the removal of the headphone jack. Now people are starting to ask questions about why they don't have a headphone jack, bigger battery, wireless charging, microsd card, the latest mobile bands, etc etc.

 

[macduke]

This!

Apple is either celebrating Samsung's offering (armed with the knowledge that they have the game over, TouchID-under-glass concept ready to rock) or they are scrambling to figure out how to successfully message a delay in the next iPhone until they can ensure under-glass ToughID. There just is no way they put it on the back.

And as many have stated: if the vertical camera orientation makes users shoot video in landscape mode... I'm all for it!!

Agree but was confused by your last statement. How would the vertical camera positioning make users shoot in landscape orientation? Each camera is a separate module. It doesn't really matter which way they're oriented in relation to one another if the sensors are in the same orientation relative to the iPhone. If they rotated the sensors as well, then yeah. But it would also make people who shoot in landscape orientation end up recording portrait orientation videos. I don't think Apple would want to create that sort of confusion. However, what I could see them doing is creating a square image sensor. The current resolution is 3024 x 4032. They could develop a square sensor that is 4032 x 4032, which would be 16MP. It could record landscape in either orientation, and when using the square mode on the phone, capture a full resolution 16MP image—if the lens design allows for it in the corners. Perhaps this is why Apple's new Clips app records in square format by default?

Furthermore, you can do really cool stuff with a square sensor. For instance, on the iPhone when recording video, it usually doesn't use the full sensor area anyway, so it's "zoomed in" or cropped a bit. With a square sensor and this crop factor, you could effectively rotate the phone around and it would still keep recording level because it can spin in a circle inside that square. It could be a "level" mode where it always keeps the horizon as level as possible while holding the camera. This would help prevent camera shake in an extra axis and eliminate all future portrait videos made on iPhone, and likely necessitate extra processor power to rotate video on the fly—but the iPhone has more power than it probably needs at this point so why not? Does my explanation make sense? I can draw what I'm thinking if people need it.

 

[S14Drvr]

This is a trend setter!!

lol you're joking right? Xioami are complete junk haha. Yet another company that rips off apple down to software look a like. The components in those phones are garbage. Again, I see a scanner on the back. Unable to move forward like samsung so they copy what Samsung put out. Their next phones will look like what ever apple puts out at a cheaper price point because they use crappy build methods and components. Kia can build a car that looks exactly like a BMW but it feels and drives like a kia and in a month it will be on the service lift. I can't even believe you'd post a picture of an Xioami phone and compare it to apple. Their CEO dresses like Steve Jobs and delivers identical Key Notes lol. They are a joke!

 

[8692574]

Xioami are complete junk haha.

You should really try them... they are absolutely lovely, would not trade my Mi Mix with any iPhone!

I can't even believe you'd post a picture of an Xioami phone and compare it to apple.

I know right? Comparing this beauty with a simple boring iPhone...what was I thinking!!

This is a beast compared to the iPhone .

Wake up and smell the coffee my friend.

 

[S14Drvr]

I'd agree with you maybe 4 or 5 years ago. This isn't the case anymore. Apple is putting out one tech blunder after the other. I would argue Samsung are the trendsetters in mobile now, especially if the iPhone copies their curved screen.

Additionally people are becoming more aware of Apple's technological shortcomings wiht the removal of the headphone jack. Now people are starting to ask questions about why they don't have a headphone jack, bigger battery, wireless charging, microsd card, the latest mobile bands, etc etc.

I can't agree with you on that so we will just agree to disagree. Trend setters don't typically burn their customers with exploding devices due to poor quality control and product execution. They also don't typically have CEO's in jail due to shady business deals. They do however make nice TV's and dishwashers!

 

[macduke]

....and they say benchmarks and specs don't matter...unless of course Apple is leading them.

I've never said that. I mean, specs don't really matter, but benchmarks do. But benchmarks are only part of the story. It's actually using the phone and seeing the speed difference as well. Benchmarks only help compare things roughly, but generally give an accurate idea of how things compare in real world use. It's not the hardware but how you use it to beat your competitors. If Samsung came out with something weird like, say, a single core phone that blew the pants off the iPhone in benchmarks, then that would be impressive. On paper it doesn't matter. Results are what matters. I doubt many people here would disagree with results being what matters, and that has been most of our argument all along except for maybe a small minority of people who don't understand how things work at all or your average user who just doesn't give a crap either way. It's why us Pros have been complaining about the Macs for years now.

 

[S14Drvr]

You should really try them... they are absolutely lovely, would not trade my Mi Mix with any iPhone!


I know right? Comparing this beauty with a simple boring iPhone...what was I thinking!!

This is a beast compared to the iPhone .

Wake up and smell the coffee my friend.

lol enjoy

 

[SirRahikkala]

So basically The Verge gave it a 9 because they like the industrial design. The camera is essentially the same as last year but they put it in the good column. If Apple released a new phone with next to no camera improvements The Verge would nail them for it. And big screen but not a big phone? Are you kidding me? All phones are massive these days. Just because some of the bezel was replaced by screen doesn't mean the phone isn't still big. Oh and average battery life was based on 1080p setting. I can only image how bad it would be if you use the WQHD setting. Of course now every one in the tech press will say who needs more than 1080p anyway.

It kinda doesn't reflect the reality. Here is another test where it performs as long is iPhone but charges twice faster.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-S8-and-S8-battery-life-test-result-is-out_id92744

"The Galaxy S8 and S8+ support Samsung's Fast Adaptive Charging and both phones are able to fully recharge their battery in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. This is not the fastest we have seen, but it is not too far off. The Galaxy S8+ also supports fast wireless charging, which is a neat feature to have."

 

[grkm3]

I've never said that. I mean, specs don't really matter, but benchmarks do. But benchmarks are only part of the story. It's actually using the phone and seeing the speed difference as well. Benchmarks only help compare things roughly, but generally give an accurate idea of how things compare in real world use. It's not the hardware but how you use it to beat your competitors. If Samsung came out with something weird like, say, a single core phone that blew the pants off the iPhone in benchmarks, then that would be impressive. On paper it doesn't matter. Results are what matters. I doubt many people here would disagree with results being what matters, and that has been most of our argument all along except for maybe a small minority of people who don't understand how things work at all or your average user who just doesn't give a crap either way. It's why us Pros have been complaining about the Macs for years now.

if benchmarks matter the gs8 scores higher numbers though.

 

[thunng8]

And they gave the Iphone 6SS a 9. Breath mate, it seems it does not take much to get a 9 on the verge........

https://www.theverge.com/a/apple-iphone-7-review-vs-iphone-7-plus
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I LOVE THIS POST!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!

Pick the Apple device that Actually has GPU performance and GLOAT! Look at the Mac range and scratch one head how the GPU performance is junk iPhones : Benchmarks Matter!!!! Its all about benchmarks!!!!!! Macs : Benchmarks are unrealistic, mean nothing, its the user experience.

Well it is sad that Apple are the only ones pushing smartphone CPU performance. Even a 6s/6s plus still blows away the lastest s8.

And why the mac comments. Apple is being hammered by the design decision of the Mbp by a huge amount of people on these forums.

 

[S14Drvr]

Well it is sad that Apple are the only ones pushing smartphone CPU performance. Even a 6s/6s plus still blows away the lastest s8.

And why the mac comments. Apple is being hammered by the design decision of the Mbp by a huge amount of people on these forums.

my only complaint with the MBP is that the pricing is getting a bit out of hand. For what they charge they really need to step up the performance. I'm sure that is a very high margin product. They should be a little more price aggressive IMHO

 

[Blaze4G]

I'm surprised why no one is talking about Instagram and Snapchat when they talk about the camera. I'm currently using a Galaxy S7 Edge while my iPhone 7 Plus is in for service. And there is no doubt the camera is great when using the stock camera-app. But the quality goes down the toilet when using Snapchat. It's not even close to matching my iPhone 7 Plus. As Snapchat is among the top five most used apps in the world, and studies show that people tend to use Snapchat for photos more often compared to the stock camera-app why doesn't reviews test the cameras using the apps most people tend to use when taking photos?

Because Snapchat takes screenshots on Android phones while on iPhones they take actual pics that goes through Apple image processing. Not a fair comparison and not Samsung / androids fault.

 

[macduke]

if benchmarks matter the gs8 scores higher numbers though.

That's cool I guess—I haven't looked into it yet. I also said that real world use is part of it and how quick apps actually feel on the platform. But feel free to pick and choose what I said. Android isn't exactly very efficient. But it's cool they finally caught up. From what I remember last year their latest, "explosively popular" devices couldn't even match the benchmarks of the 6s which was a year old at that point. It's not like the next iPhone isn't going to blow past this one. It's a cycle. I like the competition because it keeps Apple and Samsung both moving forward faster than if they didn't have competition.

 

[Dethklok]

Because Snapchat takes screenshots on Android phones while on iPhones they take actual pics that goes through Apple image processing. Not a fair comparison and not Samsung / androids fault.

I wish people would stop using SnapChat till they fix this. Lazy programming is unforgivable.

 

[I7guy]

ok buddy
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You just said it yourself! the design is the same! well guess what? every other cell phone OEM has made design changes along side internal hardware changes.

have you used TouchWiz lately? it's surpassed stock Android in many reviews and is miles away from what people on here keep regurgitating.

I guess the s8 then is the same as the s7. Better internals, new camera, new display, 3dt don't count for anything.

 

[DNichter]

You are correct. After three generations the same iPhone design, Apple has to change the pace if they want to stay relevant in a competitive market. Now, Apple makes a great phone we all know that, but after a while, it becomes stagnant when you see the changes around you with how Samsung and LG are making strides with various alterations. So I think this will be a telltale sign of this September of what Apple is going to do to measure up to the competition.

Stay relevant in the current market? Haha, this one got me. Apple could not even put out a new phone this year and it would outsell the S8. They are as relevant as ever, and will continue to be.

 

[MH01]

Well it is sad that Apple are the only ones pushing smartphone CPU performance. Even a 6s/6s plus still blows away the lastest s8.

And why the mac comments. Apple is being hammered by the design decision of the Mbp by a huge amount of people on these forums.

Macs have never had GPUs to compete in relation to benchmarks, and that has never resulted in poor products. So to a answer your question, you don't need top benchmarks to make a great device. The S8 and vice versa mean Bugger all in relation to benchmarks cause it's about the OS

 

[44267547]

Stay relevant in the current market? Haha, this one got me. Apple could not even put out a new phone this year and it would outsell the S8. They are as relevant as ever, and will continue to be.

Relevant or not in the sense of actually re-designing a phone that has been the same for the last three years in a row. That's what I meant. I'm not comparing sales in terms of between Apple and Samsung . But my point is, the issue with the iPhone that it's the same physical design and they haven't changed anything with in the last three years. Not they necessarily need to, but if you see where the competition is leading, they are leaving Apple behind where it's fairly obvious with the overall changes with the competitors.

And if it's difficult for you understand exactly where I'm coming from, feel free to read the thousands of comments on this website about how Apple needs to be more dynamic with the iPhone and not be so stagnant in terms of design. Even though I really do enjoy the iPhone and it's a great device, I Think it's fairly evident some refreshed changes are needed and are likely coming.

 

[DNichter]

Relevant or not in the sense of actually re-designing a phone that has been the same for the last three years in a row. That's what I meant. I'm not comparing sales in terms of between Apple and Samsung . But my point is, the issue with the iPhone that it's the same physical design and they haven't changed anything with in the last three years. Not they necessarily need to, but if you see where the competition is leading, they are leaving Apple behind where it's fairly obvious with the overall changes with the competitors.

And if it's difficult for you understand exactly where I'm coming from, feel free to read the thousands of comments on this website about how Apple needs to be more dynamic with the iPhone and not be so stagnant in terms of design. Even though I really do enjoy the iPhone and it's a great device, I Think it's fairly evident some refreshed changes are needed and are likely coming.

I get that some changes are needed as technology moves forward, but I actually respect Apple's approach by not just throwing ideas out there half baked. Just because they don't throw out a huge bright display (apparently battery life suffers greatly because of this), doesn't mean they aren't innovating at all. Improvements such as SOC development, 3D touch, file system architecture, 64 bit, touch ID, Siri, camera improvements, waterproofing, speaker improvements, etc. are all welcome to me. I just don't see throwing a huge screen on a phone as a great advancement in phone technology. I understand that people do though.

 

[44267547]

I get that some changes are needed as technology moves forward, but I actually respect Apple's approach by not just throwing ideas out there half baked. Just because they don't throw out a huge bright display (apparently battery life suffers greatly because of this), doesn't mean they aren't innovating at all. Improvements such as SOC development, 3D touch, file system architecture, 64 bit, touch ID, Siri, camera improvements, waterproofing, speaker improvements, etc. are all welcome to me. I just don't see throwing a huge screen on a phone as a great advancement in phone technology. I understand that people do though.

I agree that Apple does things well and they have fluid OS and their hardware is really nice. It's a well-known fact Apple is slower to move with implementing new features, but they do execute on a fairly good level. I think mostly, I'm not interested in an OLED screen as much as I am a physical redesign of the chassis. That's what I think most want to see a redesign. For me, I would like to see Siri more adVanced through iOS 11 and a re-vamped physical design for the iPhone, where I think those are two needed changes above all else in my opinion.

 

[DNichter]

I agree that Apple does things well and they have fluid OS and their hardware is really nice. It's a well-known fact Apple is slower to move with implementing new features, but they do execute on a fairly good level. I think mostly, I'm not interested in an OLED screen as much as I am a physical redesign of the chassis. That's what I think most want to see a redesign. For me, I would like to see Siri more adVanced through iOS 11 and a re-vamped physical design for the iPhone, where I think those are two needed changes above all else in my opinion.

Fair enough. A new design, I think, is warranted at this point. At some point though, all phones are likely going to look the same. To me, it ultimately will come down to software, core technologies, ecosystem, service, and support. All of which, I believe, Apple leads.

 

[Bigsk8r]

Apple will eat Samsung's lunch if they can get a huge display on the front with Touch ID integrated into the display. If they put the button on the back, then they're no better than Samsung. Why bother? It goes against every design principle Apple has ever had about the iPhone to put the button on the back. I don't think it will happen. Either we'll get a redesigned iPhone this year or we won't, but it won't have that stupid button on the back.

After seeing the proposed (rumored) location of the Touch ID sensor on the next phone, I was at first turned off. But over the last couple days I have been paying attention to how I hold the phone. I haven't had a use case yet where just sliding my index finger a half inch or less wouldn't put it on the sensor.

As such, I am going to wait and see. BUT... I would definitely prefer it in the display, or just keep the home button we all know.

 

[macduke]

After seeing the proposed (rumored) location of the Touch ID sensor on the next phone, I was at first turned off. But over the last couple days I have been paying attention to how I hold the phone. I haven't had a use case yet where just sliding my index finger a half inch or less wouldn't put it on the sensor.

As such, I am going to wait and see. BUT... I would definitely prefer it in the display, or just keep the home button we all know.

I mean, I could possibly see them putting the sensor on the back for when it's absolutely needed. But not the home button. I would think it would be some sort of 3D Touch button thing on the front, and maybe the iris scanner would be used for unlocking, with the TouchID or passcode used for changing things in the settings, unlocking apps, and Apple Pay. Still seems unlikely, but I don't think they would ever put the home button functionality on the back.

 

[Bigsk8r]

I mean, I could possibly see them putting the sensor on the back for when it's absolutely needed. But not the home button. I would think it would be some sort of 3D Touch button thing on the front, and maybe the iris scanner would be used for unlocking, with the TouchID or passcode used for changing things in the settings, unlocking apps, and Apple Pay. Still seems unlikely, but I don't think they would ever put the home button functionality on the back.

Oh no... I meant keep the FRONT home button if it came to that. Sorry I wasn't more clear. I do NOT want anything mechanical on the back. That wouldn't be cool.