Released in 2017, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus quickly established itself as one of the most advanced and visually striking smartphones of its time. With a sleek, nearly bezel-less display, powerful internals, and a camera that stood out from its competitors, the Galaxy S8 Plus set a new standard for flagship smartphones. Even years after its release, the Galaxy S8 Plus remains a relevant and appealing option for users who value performance, design, and a top-tier user experience.
In this article, we’ll explore the key features of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, delve into its performance and design, and discuss why it still holds up as a great option for users today.
1. A Stunning Design: Infinity Display and Premium Build
When the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus was released, its design was nothing short of revolutionary. With the introduction of the Infinity Display, Samsung redefined the smartphone design language, eliminating nearly all bezels on the front of the phone. This curved 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display stretched edge-to-edge, creating an immersive viewing experience. The resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels (Quad HD+) delivers vivid colors and deep blacks, making it one of the best displays in its class, even by today’s standards.
The Galaxy S8 Plus features a premium glass and metal body, with curved edges that not only make it visually striking but also offer a comfortable, ergonomic grip. The device feels solid and luxurious, with the Gorilla Glass 5 ensuring durability against scratches and minor impacts. It’s available in a variety of colors, including Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, and Arctic Silver, each adding its own unique flair.
Moreover, the Galaxy S8 Plus is IP68 certified, meaning it’s dustproof and water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, ensuring the device can withstand accidental splashes or rain without issue.
2. The Infinity Display: Immersive Visuals for Every Moment
The standout feature of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is its Infinity Display, which takes up almost the entire front of the phone. The 6.2-inch Super AMOLED display is perfect for watching movies, gaming, and browsing, offering vibrant colors, crisp detail, and excellent contrast. The high resolution ensures everything looks sharp, while the curved edges of the screen give it a futuristic, sleek appearance.
Whether you’re streaming high-definition content or gaming, the display offers an immersive experience, thanks to its 18.5:9 aspect ratio that maximizes the screen area. The display also supports HDR10, making it capable of showing enhanced brightness, contrast, and color range in compatible videos, further elevating the multimedia experience.
The Galaxy S8 Plus remains one of the most impressive displays on the market even years after its launch, providing users with a visual experience that rivals more recent smartphones.
3. Performance: Powered by Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835
Under the hood, the Galaxy S8 Plus was equipped with either the Exynos 8895 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, depending on the region. Paired with 4GB of RAM, these processors provided a fast and fluid user experience. Whether you were browsing the web, using apps, or multitasking, the Galaxy S8 Plus handled everything with ease, offering seamless performance in nearly all scenarios.
With 64GB of internal storage (expandable up to 256GB via microSD card), the S8 Plus provided more than enough space for photos, videos, and apps. This expandable storage option was a huge selling point, especially compared to other flagship devices that had eliminated microSD card slots at the time.
Despite being released in 2017, the Galaxy S8 Plus still delivers competitive performance for users who need a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks, from browsing the web and checking emails to gaming and media consumption.
4. Camera: Sharp and Vibrant Photos
The Galaxy S8 Plus features a 12MP rear camera with a f/1.7 aperture, which allows for excellent low-light performance. The wide aperture ensures more light enters the sensor, capturing brighter, clearer images even in dim environments. The rear camera offers features like phase-detection autofocus, optical image stabilization (OIS), and a wide-angle lens, making it versatile for various shooting scenarios.
While the Galaxy S8 Plus doesn’t feature a dual-camera setup like some newer flagships, its single 12MP camera performs impressively well. Whether capturing landscapes, portraits, or everyday moments, the camera produces sharp, detailed, and vibrant images. The Super Speed Dual Pixel sensor, coupled with the f/1.7 aperture, helps the camera achieve fast focus times, ensuring quick shots in a variety of conditions.
The camera’s 4K video recording capabilities (at 30fps) and Super Slow-mo mode (at 720p and 240fps) also stand out, allowing users to create stunning videos with ease. The rear camera is also capable of capturing high-quality 1080p videos at 60fps.
For selfies, the Galaxy S8 Plus comes equipped with an 8MP front camera with an f/1.7 aperture, enabling clear, vibrant self-portraits even in low light. The front camera also supports autofocus for sharp, focused selfies and video calls.
5. Battery: All-Day Power with Fast Charging
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is equipped with a 3,500mAh battery, which, when paired with the device’s power-efficient components, offers a full day of use on a single charge under moderate usage. The combination of the AMOLED display, energy-efficient Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835 processor, and power-saving software ensures that the device doesn’t drain the battery too quickly.
The Galaxy S8 Plus also supports fast charging, both wired and wireless, which makes recharging the battery a breeze. With the included 15W fast charger, users can quickly top up their device and get back to using it. Additionally, the S8 Plus supports wireless charging via the Qi and PMA standards, providing users with a convenient charging option without the need for cables.
The device also includes an adaptive battery feature that adjusts power consumption based on usage patterns, further improving overall battery life.
6. Software: Android Nougat with Samsung Experience
When the Galaxy S8 Plus launched, it ran Android 7.0 Nougat, with Samsung’s custom software skin, Samsung Experience, sitting on top. Samsung Experience streamlined Android’s user interface, providing an intuitive and customizable experience with features like the Always On Display, Edge Panels, and an improved notification system.
Samsung later updated the Galaxy S8 Plus to newer versions of Android, including Android 9 Pie and Android 10, bringing enhancements to both the software and overall performance. The Galaxy S8 Plus continues to receive security updates and improvements, although it may no longer receive major Android updates in the near future.
The One UI interface, which was introduced with Android 9, makes the phone easier to use with one hand, especially given the large screen size. It also includes a Dark Mode, which improves battery life on OLED screens by reducing power consumption and providing a more comfortable viewing experience at night.
7. Security Features: Iris Scanner and Fingerprint Sensor
Samsung has always prioritized security, and the Galaxy S8 Plus is no exception. The device features multiple security options, including the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, an iris scanner, and facial recognition. These security measures provide users with various options to unlock their phone quickly and securely.
The iris scanner, in particular, was a standout feature at the time, offering a high level of security. The device could recognize your iris patterns to unlock the phone, making it one of the more secure biometric methods available. However, users can still use the traditional fingerprint scanner or facial recognition if they prefer.
Samsung Knox, Samsung’s defense-grade security platform, is also included in the Galaxy S8 Plus, providing enhanced protection against malware, data breaches, and other security threats.
8. Why Choose the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus Today?
Despite being a few years old, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus remains a relevant and capable device for users who don’t need the latest features but still want flagship-level performance. Its stunning design, vibrant display, reliable performance, and strong camera make it an appealing choice for users who want an excellent smartphone without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for a smartphone with a large, immersive screen, solid performance, and strong camera capabilities, the Galaxy S8 Plus remains a smart choice. Whether you’re upgrading from an older device or seeking a budget-friendly flagship, the Galaxy S8 Plus provides great value for your investment.
Conclusion: A Classic That Continues to Impress
The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus set the stage for many of the innovations seen in later Galaxy S models. With its beautiful display, powerful performance, and capable camera system, the S8 Plus continues to be a reliable option for anyone seeking a premium smartphone experience. While it may not boast the latest features, its timeless design and excellent user experience ensure that it holds its own in today’s market.
