Samsung Unveils Galaxy S8 and S8+ With Iris and Facial Recognition, No Home Button

[shanos]

Apple need to wow us with the new iphone. They also need to speed up ios and make it the best possible os around. Its still better then android but it has gotten bloated and slower over the years. Ios 6 was the fastest even ios 7 was good after that it started going downhill.


Both the software and design need to be top notch again. Apple are leading with their chip design and security why cant they do the same with phone design?

Agreed about the OS, IOS has gone slowly downhill after jobs died, lack of innovation and ideas that have been pulled over from jailbreak hacks and android os.
the other problem is that in their strives to keep everyone on the newest os they often cripple older devices and leave them running at a pace that demands you buy new hardware to keep up with the OS.
Car manufacturers are similar to android manufacturers, they have an operating system that runs the car, you are happy with how the car runs so you keep the cars os (by OS I mean the engine Maps), if you want to you can flash a modified OS (remap the engine to push its capabilities).
Could you imagine if they ran their business like Apple? your car would come out and it would look great and drive really well (even if it had a smaller fuel tank and smaller engine), then when they released an updated car, they would insist that you upgrade the cars OS... the car would then run slower than it did before and you would have an incomplete set of features compared to the newer car... but rather than blame Apple you would just go out and buy the new car which looked 98% the same as the car you just got rid of.

It seems strange that people feel they had to upgrade their iphone 6 to a 6s or their 6s to an iphone 7 the feature difference between them is minimal, I have kept an iphone 6 (but not updated the OS for a while to keep it running at a decent speed), but also use a xiaomi MI5 that has weekly updates all in the name of improving its features and speed etc. The Xiaomi cost £250 and has 4gb ram 64gb rom a qualcomm 820 cpu and is a really nice design, the Mi Mix featured a concept style screen before the Samsung and the new MI6 is looking like another flagship killer, it is phones like this and the Samsung that will see iphone users start to turn away and look for quality and style in the places they used to turn to Apple.

 

[pika2000]

You have just unwittingly described 90% of iPhone users.

Yet people are talking how iPhone is boring and this looks better. So by your logic, 90% of iPhone user would switch to a Samsung phone, right?

 

[shanos]

This is a form factor change, not an internals change. People are eating up the form factor. This is looks, not substance. But it is some great looks and it took a ton of engineering to get rid of the home button on Android. (Though I might point out that BBRY had no home button necessary on BB10 OS due to its swipe based operating system.)

And no, of course the CPU will not top the iPhone 7. But CPU speed is fast enough in all these phones.

The hardware is nice in the S8, they have packed a lot of tech in to the svelte body, as you said though phones have been powerful enough for pretty much anything that mere everyday mortals can throw at them for a couple of years now.
the only advantages come when you start having a cock size off and comparing benchmarks lol.

 

[MacBergin]

Thank you Samsung for NOT removing the headphone jack.

I'm hoping that is sarcasm because otherwise I'm betting you are the type that held onto a flip phone for as long as possible.

 

[shanos]

Yet people are talking how iPhone is boring and this looks better. So by your logic, 90% of iPhone user would switch to a Samsung phone, right?

A lot of iphone users have bought completely in to the ios way of life, they want imessage (even though whatsapp does it all and is universal) they are tied to an ecosystem and have all the docks and cables etc.
For the same reason I would find it hard to ditch my Canon cameras and move to nikon most iphone users are stuck.
But if Apple continues to drop the ball and samsung continues to run with the ball and score tries, change could come quicker than you think.
Just look at this thread as an example, 1 or 2 years ago the thread would have been 400 comments long already and they would have been 99% bashing samsung! some iphone fanboys are outraged at the number of people on here saying how great the S8 mlooks and even saying that they may go for one if the iphone 8 is not amazing...
2 short years to get to this stage... the future may not be as rosy as Apple would like.
Also look at the way China has started to turn away from the iphone, 2 years ago they were buying iphones at an alarming rate, now Apple have fallen quickly.

 

[MacBergin]

I will say the screen looks nice but you people need to calm down. You are acting like someone that hasn't seen water for 3 days. It just a phone and although the screen looks nice the back is cheap looking and moving the fingerprint reader to the back is a copy and inconvenient, and yes you will need the fingerprint to unlock when you get frustrated with the facial recognition not working. Also, it might be nice to look at from the front but turn it on and try to use it...makes me shudder. And one final note...its another rush job phone...they rushed it out to beat iphone to the sales, good luck to all you that order this Yugo.

 

[0098386]

They keep tempting me over. If the iPhone 8 isn't good enough, well...

 

[slimothy]

Problem is everybody's a critic (literally) on what a "damn good phone" should be. You can't please everyone, so just aim for the majority (or whatever sales figure you were trying to hit).

I personally DO have issues paying for a $1000 phone...
1) If I accidently break it, I either need to deal with potential hassles of insurance (not to mention paying for such a service in the first place), pay for official repairs which go around $150 to $200, or have a mall kiosk fix it, but may not be up to snuff. With a cheap phone, it was cheap enough that I can just pay out of pocket for a replacement

2) I can afford a $1000 phone, but if I can get complete satisfaction out of a $220 phone... then all the more money left in my pocket. LG G4 FTW! I'll check out what specs and reviews are for the next Iph and Samsung phone, but my budget for phones is $300 or less, and it's been completely doable all these years.

And everyone should be a critic because it's all personal preference.

1) I guess don't break it lol. I've never broken a phone and I don't use cases or screen protectors. That's just up to the user really. Price shouldn't really have anything to do with that. If it did have something to do with it, you'd be able to assume that if the user paid more, they'd take better care of it.

2) I'm sure it's doable. There are some great phones for people who don't have much money to spend on premium devices. I don't need to be the one to tell you though, that carrying around a nice brand new iPhone gives you a really good feeling.

 

[0098386]

A lot of iphone users have bought completely in to the ios way of life, they want imessage (even though whatsapp does it all and is universal) they are tied to an ecosystem and have all the docks and cables etc.
For the same reason I would find it hard to ditch my Canon cameras and move to nikon most iphone users are stuck.
But if Apple continues to drop the ball and samsung continues to run with the ball and score tries, change could come quicker than you think.
Just look at this thread as an example, 1 or 2 years ago the thread would have been 400 comments long already and they would have been 99% bashing samsung! some iphone fanboys are outraged at the number of people on here saying how great the S8 mlooks and even saying that they may go for one if the iphone 8 is not amazing...
2 short years to get to this stage... the future may not be as rosy as Apple would like.
Also look at the way China has started to turn away from the iphone, 2 years ago they were buying iphones at an alarming rate, now Apple have fallen quickly.

Changing out of the ecosystem is a huge step back for me too. I don't know how I'd be able to replicate my iOS experience+services, but, I'm sure I'd find a new way of working. Originally I was concerned that I'd have to rebuy all the games I already own on iOS, but I've found myself spending less and less on apps. So yeah. I feel more and more ready each time Samsung do something great like this. My Apple dedication can only stretch so far.

 

[filmantopia]

I am intrigued by the people wanting wireless charging where the charging device is not connected to anything, because that would make it wired. When do you expect this to appear? 2069 or 2071?

So wifi isn't wireless because the router is physically plugged into the wall?

 

[shanos]

I'm hoping that is sarcasm because otherwise I'm betting you are the type that held onto a flip phone for as long as possible.

I quite like the option to use wired headphones on a phone, given that bluetooth audio has a lower bit rate and clips music, kinda makes apple music with their high quality streaming of music irrelevent if it cant be enjoyed in HD
The fact the S8 is fully waterproof and has sooo much tech in a body like that and can still fit the jack goes to show how much of a wimp out it was from apple to drop it.

I also hate the fact my macbook pro (used for photo editing) has had the SD card slot removed! again no reason they could not have it on there... but Apple dropped it...

Next to go will be your lightning cable to be replaced with a USB type C leaving all your docks etc redundant (dont think they would do it? what happened to all the 30pin docs etc)

I love having choices, not having them taken away from me!

 

[Paul Dawkins]

A lot of iphone users have bought completely in to the ios way of life, they want imessage (even though whatsapp does it all and is universal) they are tied to an ecosystem and have all the docks and cables etc.
For the same reason I would find it hard to ditch my Canon cameras and move to nikon most iphone users are stuck.
But if Apple continues to drop the ball and samsung continues to run with the ball and score tries, change could come quicker than you think.
Just look at this thread as an example, 1 or 2 years ago the thread would have been 400 comments long already and they would have been 99% bashing samsung! some iphone fanboys are outraged at the number of people on here saying how great the S8 mlooks and even saying that they may go for one if the iphone 8 is not amazing...
2 short years to get to this stage... the future may not be as rosy as Apple would like.
Also look at the way China has started to turn away from the iphone, 2 years ago they were buying iphones at an alarming rate, now Apple have fallen quickly.

You say stuck as if they are trying to get away somehow. Don't worry they are exactly where they want to be. me including.

 

[slimothy]

When you're paying $600+ for a phone, any and all should be good. The truth is, Apple has re-introduced it's Apple Tax with "Pro" mobile devices and the iPhone 8 will be no different. That's ignoring the $98 markup on capacity on current models. You're going to tell me with a straight face that the iPhone 8 is worth $350 more than the iPhone 7s? No, no it's not. The scarcity of the device, whether it's real or manufactured, is what will allow them to drive the price up.

And in 2018, we'll either see iPhone 8s replace iPhon7s..S? which is what you'd expect, but seeing how Tim loves doing this on all their mobile devices, he'll create the "Pro" split and explain it as a higher cost out of "hard to make" and maintain it once it's not.

I don't think you understand. Yes, the iPhone 8 will be worth $350 more than the 7 I just bought 6 months ago. Well, my 7 was $850 after tax, so I am guessing the iPhone 8 will be around 1,000 ish after tax. Either way, it's like when buying a Rolex. I can easily go buy a cheap Casio watch for 30-100 bucks. But my Rolex I'm paying $11,000 for the experience, and the joy of having such a premium product on my wrist that I can look at and be proud of. It makes you feel a certain way. And sure, not everyone can afford an iPhone 8. They can get the 7. But there are plenty of us that can afford the iPhone 8 easily, and don't mind paying for it, because it will be a very premium device.

 

[anthorumor]

Not sure why people think Samsung's hardware and design ethos will inspire Apple's next iPhones.
Apple works in their own world (or 'spaceship' when it's released), so they generally don't follow trends.
I guess it's more of a message to Apple fans that anything can be conceived from concept to reality.
Miss the days when Apple was the forefront of tech design.

 

[slimothy]

Not really, Apple is probably now in a scramble trying to figure out how to market features that don't even begin to touch this to make them look better than they are. I really think that if it works properly, the Samsung Dex feature could be the killer feature.

Apple needs to kill it on the iPhone 8 or they're going to be in trouble. They know this; I think they'll do it right.

 

[shanos]

Changing out of the ecosystem is a huge step back for me too. I don't know how I'd be able to replicate my iOS experience+services, but, I'm sure I'd find a new way of working. Originally I was concerned that I'd have to rebuy all the games I already own on iOS, but I've found myself spending less and less on apps. So yeah. I feel more and more ready each time Samsung do something great like this. My Apple dedication can only stretch so far.

I feel the same, I run both android and IOS phones (iphone sees hardly any use now as a lot of mates are using whatsapp rather than imessage), my apple dedication was hit hard when Apple started to leave older devices crippled with updates and more recently by the removal of the sd card reader on my macbook pro touchbar.
Android has come a long long way and is now a match in every way for IOS (in some cases it is better), Apples market dominance and high pricing is starting to see it become less attractive.

 

[Royal Gala]

I love samsung as they are the new Apple

LOL.

 

[0098386]

Apple needs to kill it on the iPhone 8 or they're going to be in trouble. They know this; I think they'll do it right.

But the concern is that whilst this 'premium' iPhone will be a leap forward - the standard iPhone won't be. At first I was all for that option setup but now we've seen Samsungs standard phone... well, Apple better do well.

 

[shanos]

You say stuck as if they are trying to get away somehow. Don't worry they are exactly where they want to be. me including.

If you put a frog in boiling water it will jump out (offer someone an s8 when they are not tied to IOS they will jump ship)
If you place a frog in cold water and slowly bring it up to boiling the frog will stay where it is, eventually killing itself because it was happy where it was... ( just because you are comfortable does not mean that you should stay and put up with what you have or where things are going)

 

[symphara]

moving the fingerprint reader to the back is a copy and inconvenient

Not sure what you mean by "is a copy" - it's like saying that Toyota is copying the external side mirrors from Renault, because Renault cars also have side mirrors. Sheer nonsense in other words. If you feel the need to belittle Samsung, there's plenty of real arguments (slow software updates, needlessly duplicating Google software with inferior versions etc). No need to make up stuff.

But being convenient or not is purely a matter of opinion. I find the position on the back much more convenient than on the front, which I decidedly find inconvenient (when I hold the phone, that location just doesn't come naturally). It's basically touching it with the stretched index finger, which is a natural move, vs reaching the middle base with your thumb, which I find unpleasant.

I tried it with the P9 vs the P10, and putting the fingerprint reader on the front is definitely a step back there.

 

[Shanghaichica]

"Please realize that I'm right and you're wrong, and then change your opinion accordingly."

Sure. No problem.

Look, I'm just saying that Samsung takes/has taken its design direction from Apple (and, historically, others) and the fact that they jumped in with their full-bezel, buttonless, face-recognizing, candy bar smartphone just before Apple did doesn't mean they didn't copy anything.

I guess LG were copying Apple too and when the pixel 2 comes out later this year they will be copying Apple and sharp copied Apple 3 years ago with their bezeless phone.

Samsung already had iris scanning last year and facial recognition has been around since ice cream sandwich on android albeit not very good. I suppose that was copying Apple too.

 

[slimothy]

But the concern is that whilst this 'premium' iPhone will be a leap forward - the standard iPhone won't be. At first I was all for that option setup but now we've seen Samsungs standard phone... well, Apple better do well.

True. That might make Apple scramble. They know a lot of people will want the 8/X whatever they call it. Maybe the S line will just be a standard phone for old people who don't care as much.

 

[shanos]

I don't think you understand. Yes, the iPhone 8 will be worth $350 more than the 7 I just bought 6 months ago. Well, my 7 was $850 after tax, so I am guessing the iPhone 8 will be around 1,000 ish after tax. Either way, it's like when buying a Rolex. I can easily go buy a cheap Casio watch for 30-100 bucks. But my Rolex I'm paying $11,000 for the experience, and the joy of having such a premium product on my wrist that I can look at and be proud of. It makes you feel a certain way. And sure, not everyone can afford an iPhone 8. They can get the 7. But there are plenty of us that can afford the iPhone 8 easily, and don't mind paying for it, because it will be a very premium device.

Better get me some new pants, the ones I brought last week are a week old now and they only cost £150 they have just bought out a new pair with an extra belt loop for £350... I would not want to be seen in the ones with only 6 belt loops... they are for the peasants that cant afford 7 loops...

In seriousness though, if you feel that its worth the premium and if your in the position to pay it then thats your prerogative, thankfully for Apple there are a lot of people that will do the same as you.
Not sure how long people will continue to do it, but for now lets hope that people can justify the 8 pricing (or that enough people have upgrades due on their contracts).

 

[TurboPGT!]

Maps is a joke. No bike or walking paths, no transits. No offline mapping when you take it on a bike tour. It's a complete joke. As is the pace they're implementing transit solutions. Luckily there is google maps.

Absolutely none of those things matter to me, so no, it is not even remotely a joke. Thanks.
[doublepost=1490878218][/doublepost]

People are still thinking in the past. Today android is as good if not better than iOS.

LOL. Nope.

 

[symphara]

Either way, it's like when buying a Rolex. I can easily go buy a cheap Casio watch for 30-100 bucks. But my Rolex I'm paying $11,000 for the experience, and the joy of having such a premium product on my wrist that I can look at and be proud of. It makes you feel a certain way.

You mean, like a snob

I find it hard to understand why people assimilate fashion, jewelry, exclusivity with a mass-produced (in China), mass-sold mobile phone.

And man, if you want to spend $11k on a watch, there are so many more actually tasteful alternatives out there than Rolex...