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

[Shanghaichica]

No need to switch. Apple is typically late to the party when it comes to features, but their implementation is always better. The same will happen this year. Samsung typically takes rumored (or first hand knowledge since they are a major supplier) features and rushes to release first. This is why many features are half baked or considered gimmicky. Unfortunately for Samsung, it never helps, as Apple continues to sell more iPhones than the Galaxy line each year.

There's nothing wrong with the design of the S8 and been something Samsung have been working towards since 2014.
There is nothing half baked about the iris scanner or facial scanner. They work.

Apple could come out with a better phone but the one Samsung have just announced is sold and there is nothing half baked about it.
[doublepost=1490906581][/doublepost]

Exactly. There is a reason why Samsung releases 6 months ahead of Apple. If they released at the same time, Apple would sweep up with them. I give Google credit. They are challenging Apple by releasing their Pixel phones at the same time. Pure Android vs Pure Apple. That's going to be the big game from this point forward.
[doublepost=1490906468][/doublepost]
Right, but the 8 is not.

Samsung make more of the S series. The demand for the note was not predicted and that's why it was back ordered. The phone is not going to sell iPhone numbers. However aside from the black models the standard iPhone 7 did not sell out. Only the plus model was backordered and the black 7 models at launch.

 

[DNichter]

There's nothing wrong with the design of the S8 and been something Samsung have been working towards since 2014.
There is nothing half baked about the iris scanner or facial scanner. They work.

Apple could come out with a better phone but the one Samsung have just announced is sold and there is nothing half baked about it.

I don't personally know this as I haven't owned a Samsung phone (I prefer to support our best American company), but I have always read reviews stating that Samsung software features lack the polish and execution of Apple's.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I don't personally know this as I haven't owned a Samsung phone (I prefer to support our best American company), but I have always read reviews stating that Samsung software features lack the polish and execution of Apple's.

Yes Samsung's touchwiz/ android is not as polished as Apple's for sure. The hardware is always top notch.

I don't care where the phone is manufactured or where the company that makes the phone is based. I just care about the best product for me. Not that the UK are known for making world class smartphones

 

[Superhappytree]

No need to switch. Apple is typically late to the party when it comes to features, but their implementation is always better. The same will happen this year. Samsung typically takes rumored (or first hand knowledge since they are a major supplier) features and rushes to release first. This is why many features are half baked or considered gimmicky. Unfortunately for Samsung, it never helps, as Apple continues to sell more iPhones than the Galaxy line each year.

This is what annoys me because whenever I go on a YouTube vid on any S8 video it's always: "Amazing! Apple is so far behind. Samsung's the best! Way ahead of crappy Apple!" and then when Apple finally does release the iPhone 8 they'll say Apple copied them when it was in fact Samsung due to their first hand knowledge. This is why I will always respect Apple more because I just feel like Samsung is a cheap carbon copy who also constantly reads this site to include any rumoured iPhone feature in their next phone so they can say "first!". Completely shameless and no originality at all.

 

[DNichter]

Yes Samsung's touchwiz/ android is not as polished as Apple's for sure. The hardware is always top notch.

I don't care where the phone is manufactured or where the company that makes the phone is based. I just care about the best product for me. Not that the UK are known for making world class smartphones

And since their features are rarely as polished and battery and performance are never as good, I don't really see the benefit of going Samsung. Especially at this point. Apple has everyone hooked to the platform. Haha I didn't even see you were from the UK, good point.

 

[62tele]

Exactly. There is a reason why Samsung releases 6 months ahead of Apple. If they released at the same time, Apple would sweep up with them. I give Google credit. They are challenging Apple by releasing their Pixel phones at the same time. Pure Android vs Pure Apple. That's going to be the big game from this point forward.

I don't think Google has a prayer in going against Apple with the Pixel phones. They aren't selling now in significant numbers. The Android field is just that, the "field". Google hasn't proved capable of playing in the hardware field other than Chromebook and Chromebook sales are still a relatively small segment of the market outside of education.

 

[DNichter]

This is what annoys me because whenever I go on a YouTube vid on any S8 video it's always: "Amazing! Apple is so far behind. Samsungs' the best! Way ahead of crappy Apple!" and then when Apple finally does release the iPhone 8 they'll say Apple copied them when it was in fact Samsung due to their first hand knowledge. This is why I will always respect Apple more because I just feel like Samsung is a cheap carbon copy who also constantly reads this site to include any rumoured iPhone feature in their next phone so they can say "first!". No originality at all.

You're right. It's not worth getting into it. I don't even understand why someone would support Samsung. They just slap on features to an otherwise cheap looking phone with a super saturated screen and everyone eats it up.

 

[0098386]

Hmmm, if you are going to wait until September to review iPhone 8 before making a purchase of Gax S8, then I'm thinking it won't happen. This won't look nearly as fancy and shiny in six months.

Why not? It'll have the same features as it did, and the competition will be catching up. If someone else releases a better telephone in the meantime then I'll get that one instead.
[doublepost=1490908100][/doublepost]

When I see someone with an iPhone, sometimes I see someone who is new to technology and needs it to be simplified and streamlined because they have a hard time adapting to more complex and powerful controls.

This is a really bizarre statement. Could you please explain it?

I've solely bought Apple computers since 2004 and their phones since 2011. I know computers quite well (I run a software development studio) but I don't get your logic. I buy iPhones because I don't want to have to manage yet another device... hell I don't want to have to manage my computer and have automated as much as possible. I've got enough to do with running my company, family stuff, hobbies, side projects.

So to turn it around a little bit - why would one want to deliberately make their life more difficult?

I've used Android and, minus a few strange UX decisions, it runs as well and easily as iOS. They're all aiming to be easy to use.

 

[wxman2003]

I don't think Google has a prayer in going against Apple with the Pixel phones. They aren't selling now in significant numbers. The Android field is just that, the "field". Google hasn't proved capable of playing in the hardware field other than Chromebook and Chromebook sales are still a relatively small segment of the market outside of education.

As of right now, no, but it the future, they will be a force with their smartphones. No one thought that Blackberry would ever lose to Apple.

 

[Shanghaichica]

This is what annoys me because whenever I go on a YouTube vid on any S8 video it's always: "Amazing! Apple is so far behind. Samsung's the best! Way ahead of crappy Apple!" and then when Apple finally does release the iPhone 8 they'll say Apple copied them when it was in fact Samsung due to their first hand knowledge. This is why I will always respect Apple more because I just feel like Samsung is a cheap carbon copy who also constantly reads this site to include any rumoured iPhone feature in their next phone so they can say "first!". Completely shameless and no originality at all.

Samsung flagship phones are not cheap. They cost the same as the iPhone more or less. I find it amazing how people are still going on about this copying thing. Samsung could re-invent the wheel and somehow people would try and say they copied Apple.

I mean if it wasn't for Samsung making the phablet popular we wouldn't even have an iPhone plus. But somehow Samsung must have copied Apple when they brought out the first note phone...

Apple have great ideas but some of their stuff is reactionary the iPhone plus and iPad mini are prime examples.
[doublepost=1490908740][/doublepost]

As of right now, no, but it the future, they will be a force with their smartphones. No one thought that Blackberry would ever lose to Apple.

I think google are too focused on services and software. Apple were doing something new and innovative at the time. Shifting the paradigm.

Google are not doing anything new.

 

[wxman2003]

Samsung flagship phones are not cheap. They cost the same as the iPhone more or less. I find it amazing how people are still going on about this copying thing. Samsung could re-invent the wheel and somehow people would try and say they copied Apple.

I mean if it wasn't for Samsung making the phablet popular we wouldn't even have an iPhone plus. But somehow Samsung must have copied Apple when they brought out the first note phone...

Apple have great ideas but some of their stuff is reactionary the iPhone plus and iPad mini are prime examples.
[doublepost=1490908740][/doublepost]
I think google are too focused on services and software. Apple were doing something new and innovative at the time. Shifting the paradigm.

Google are not doing anything new.

Google doesn't need to win by beating Apple. They will win getting android users to buy their phones. Many android users are getting fed up with the bloatware, slow os updates etc. The Pixel 2 will rival the S8 in quality, with none of the negatives. The Pixel 2 will have AMOLED edge to edge screen, the latest Android platform, no bloatware, and will be faster than the S8. Winning over the fragmented android consumer market is how they will surpass Apple is sales. It may take 5 years, but Samsung was a nobody too not many years ago.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Google doesn't need to win by beating Apple. They will win getting android users to buy their phones. Many android users are getting fed up with the bloatware, slow os updates etc. The Pixel 2 will rival the S8 in quality, with none of the negatives. The Pixel 2 will have AMOLED edge to edge screen, the latest Android platform, no bloatware, and will be faster than the S8. Winning over the fragmented android consumer market is how they will surpass Apple is sales. It may take 5 years, but Samsung was a nobody too not many years ago.

A lot of the things that google incorporate into the latest version of android are things that Samsung and LG have had on their phones for years. Diversity and openness are fundamental pillars of android and with that comes fragmentation. If you remove that android might as well be iOS.

 

[wxman2003]

A lot of the things that google incorporate into the latest version of android are things that Samsung and LG have had on their phones for years. Diversity and openness are fundamental pillars of android and with that comes fragmentation. If you remove that android might as well be iOS.

I don't think Samsung will be part of the Android ecosystem in 5 years. They are continuing to develop their own operating system. Tizen is just a fist step at moving away from Android. Google knows that. They will become the dominant android player in the phone market.

 

[deckard666]

646 new emoji - let the moaning begin....

 

[Shanghaichica]

I don't think Samsung will be part of the Android ecosystem in 5 years. They are continuing to develop their own operating system. Tizen is just a fist step at moving away from Android. Google knows that. They will become the dominant android player in the phone market.

I think this was their plan a few years ago but things didn't turn out the way they wanted in terms of growth. However a few years back google told them to reign it in as they were aggressively trying to push their own platform on their android devices. They came to some kind of agreement with google and ever since they seem to have put Tizen on the back burner. I think they will only try and market Tizen products in developing countries. Maybe that's the deal they cut with google.

 

[Dirtfarmer]

Why not? It'll have the same features as it did, and the competition will be catching up. If someone else releases a better telephone in the meantime then I'll get that one instead.
[doublepost=1490908100][/doublepost]

This is a really bizarre statement. Could you please explain it?

I've solely bought Apple computers since 2004 and their phones since 2011. I know computers quite well (I run a software development studio) but I don't get your logic. I buy iPhones because I don't want to have to manage yet another device... hell I don't want to have to manage my computer and have automated as much as possible. I've got enough to do with running my company, family stuff, hobbies, side projects.

So to turn it around a little bit - why would one want to deliberately make their life more difficult?

I've used Android and, minus a few strange UX decisions, it runs as well and easily as iOS. They're all aiming to be easy to use.

It was well-explained.

People who did not grow up with technology as children (you and I for sure) find adapting to it to be uncomfortable.

One writer termed us "digital immigrants".

So a lot of us choose the easiest, most Fisher Price ecosystem.

Yes it does a lot less and costs a lot more, we say, but it "just works". (Even though it doesn't just work, but that's the subject of a different post.)

People born after 2000 (digital natives) never knew a world without smartphones, digital content, the modern internet.

They may be uncomfortable using books in a library to solve their problems, but are not afraid of Android.

Apple needs to do more to appeal to these people, since the Digital Immigrant customer base is finite -- and shrinking.

When I see an iPhone user, I usually see a digital immigrant.

 

[rjohnstone]

I think this was their plan a few years ago but things didn't turn out the way they wanted in terms of growth. However a few years back google told them to reign it in as they were aggressively trying to push their own platform on their android devices. They came to some kind of agreement with google and ever since they seem to have put Tizen on the back burner. I think they will only try and market Tizen products in developing countries. Maybe that's the deal they cut with google.

Samsung smartwatches all run Tizen instead of Android Wear.
The Gear S2 and S3 offer a much better experience than Android Wear does and I don't see that changing any time soon.

 

[Rogifan]

My god this is fugly.

 

[MH01]

I agree removing headphone jack is a smart move. Everything is wireless now. Once you put on wireless earphone, you will not revert back even though you know that there is deplete in sound quality. Wireless is truly convenient. You should try it man

I have the AirPods and B&O H8...... they serve thier purpose for when I need wireless, but when I want to enjoy my music , wired all the way

 

[Shanghaichica]

Samsung smartwatches all run Tizen instead of Android Wear.
The Gear S2 and S3 offer a much better experience than Android Wear does and I don't see that changing any time soon.

I doubt they will release a smartphone in the west running Tizen.

 

[MH01]

Quite amazing how so many here are literally pulling these prices out of their asses, you're comparing the price of the smallest storage base model to a RUMORED price for a future Apple FLAGSHIP model. No wonder Trump is president.

The S8 only comes in one size......there is no smallest. Maybe trump would not be president if people could read
[doublepost=1490911970][/doublepost]

Nothing can match the aesthetics's of a iphone 7 in matte or jet black. Nothing.

That you are correct on. The matte black and jet black look stunning

Though so is the Samsung batman and iron man edition phones

 

[thekeyring]

The last time they disrupted a market was a decade ago.

By disrupt, I mean what they did for the home computer, for music, for mobile phones and tablets. iMac, iPod+iTunes, iOS+app store. World changing technologies from a formerly world-changing company.

They did things like that constantly during the entire time that Steve was at the helm.

Now what. The watch thing didn't disrupt wearables. Which are ripe for the taking.

Homekit and Healthkit didn't disrupt or dominate home automation or healthcare. Again, crying out for a genius like Steve.

In the meantime, their accountant king decided to quit the pro market, (!!!), and quit the server market!

And their attempt at automotive was stillborn. Another fail.

They've spent 10 years coasting on Steve's genius. 10 years of tweaking old paradigms.

And due to smart billion-dollar companies playing catch-up, Apple are no longer shipping the most amazing hardware in any category or the most amazing software. They're shipping really good products but they are no longer leaps and bounds ahead.

This is not a strategy for remaining the most valuable corporation on the planet. They need another visionary.

The iMac didn't revolutionise the PC market - the Mac did long before it though.

Maybe the Watch would be considered more disruptive if we saw actual sales figures. I see it on wrists every day, and suddenly fashion Watch companies like Michael Kores have decided to come out with Android Wear smart watches. Not sure what else you'd like? Their main competitor on the wrists of people - Fitbit - is 'in trouble' according to recent sales numbers.

I don't buy that it was an accounting decision that has left the Mac Pro without updates. In fact, this line of thinking from you really makes it sound like you've abandoned logic.

What did Pro customers ask for in 2013? An updated Mac Pro tower. Apple could have swapped out processors, updated the IO and maybe made SSDs default. Happy customers + happy accountants.

Instead, they redesigned the entire machine, and opened a manufacturing plant in the US to build it. Now you're saying it doesn't even warrant Apple updating the processors?

 

[Mac 128]

No it's not sarcasm and my wanting to use wired professional headphones, that are not even closely available in a wireless version, is my business and has nothing to do with flip phones. I want to have a choice but Apple took away that choice.

Samsung found a way to keep the headphone jack AND give consumers a fantastic phone, which is also very water resistant so I salute their engineering ability (Apple is not the only company that has engineering ability).

Apple could have kept the headphone jack, made the iPhone just as waterproof while supporting BOTH high quality wired and wireless connections, thereby giving consumers A CHOICE. But Apple's dictatorial approach and their sheer arrogance wont allow them to do that. They have it in their minds that wireless is the only way forward, which will be interesting if they remove the headphone jack from the iPad and their MacBook ... don't think that won't cause more outrage especially from MacBook users.

Close to 100 people liked my post, which means I am not alone in my thinking. Time will tell on this whole headphone jack debate. If Samsung continues to release a great product, comparable to the iPhone that still has a headphone jack, we may learn what the majority of consumers think, not just what Apple thinks or sarcastic "flip phone" posts.

So you're saying that the S8 has every single feature the iPhone 7 Plus has, including the Haptic engine and 3D Touch across the entire display? Spec for spec they are identical, and perform all of the exact same functions? Are there also stereo speakers? Have you personally tested the S8's water resistance in real world situations, as many Samsung models are rated as water resistant, but perform badly in real world situation.

Yes, Samsung found a way, by not including all of the same features that Apple found valuable. If you don't like Apple's offerings, buy something you do like. It's really that simple.

Your specious final remark about 100 people liking your post means you're not alone may be true, but then again that's 100 opinions in a thread with over 1100 comments, and 41,000 views. Not likely the majority opinion, by any means. Apple caters to the largest common denominator, as do most businesses. No manufacturer will be able to please everyone. You're clearly in the minority here.

 

[6foot5foot]

I continue to chortle at how people in general MASSIVELY miss the point when being led down the simpleton path of comparing spec bullet points. Apple make an EXPERIENCE you WANT to use because it saves you time, effort and hassle, and you can't replicate that on another platform, merely by spouting "Bbbbut your CPU hasn't reached X gigaflops; ours has, and we have more RAMs etcz..."

Failure to comprehend: ABORT! ABORT! ABORT!

Ah, the restrictive, simplistically minded containment and overall bland simple-mindedness of the hive minded internets, where everyone spouts the same "truths" they take on blind faith from everyone else who happens to have "opinions" aligned with theirs, formed from mass acceptance and socially accepted assumptions, rarely on HARD evidence and common sense, never mind subtle, quiet intuition based upon the unspoken inevitability of how scenarios are seen to repeatedly pan out, and repeatedly make the same stupid mistakes (which the masses either COMPLETELY fail to comprehend or sense, or are too proud to admit to) which very few people seem to have.

It doesn't matter a HOOT whether X, Y or Z person "agrees" with you, what matters are simple, logical and elegant truths - specs and the focus shift ONTO them, is why Android will ALWAYS be a follower, never a leader. Yes, Android enables decent enough handsets to be produced, but they are never EVER the gold standard - exampled of gold standard, industry shifting mobile handsets and platforms:

1: Nokia 3310

2: BlackBerry

3: iPhone


That's IT.

 

[Harloh]

Well played samsung. After the debacle of the previous model with the fuego, you have come back making an impression with new marketing/advertising showing you check all the phones (maybe / maybe not) and have beat apple to the punch in new seamless (no home button) hardware innovating the unlocking of a phone with facial recognition. I'm surprised apple hasn't decided you are competition yet and not come out with a more advanced model with innovation. I like my old macbook pro (13"retina & iphone 6s) but will be holding out for a while as the innovation direction they have been moving toward is just the removal of parts we all have been using... perfect example, the NEW Macbook pro why does it still have a headphone jack if it's been removed from the phone, where is your bravery on this product as that was your statement for removing from the phone at the same time.... cohesion no? I am unsure why the products you currently have seem stagnant in design and innovation. With a ton of money waiting to be spent to keep it running, there doesn't seem to be much going on. You made a red phone... wow. It took you nearly ten phones to finally put a camera worth shooting night photos, when Nokia (Lumnia 1020)had a forty-one megapixel camera ages/years ago. Best of luck Samsung, seems like they're all sleeping at Apple.