Samsung S8 is a pleasure to use for browsing and watching films, takes perfect pictures…and is VERY handsome
YOU can get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone from next week - and it's a corker.
We've had some time to play with the high-end gadget and we can now let you see exactly what's on offer.
This classy Android blower ticks the boxes that matter – viewing, comfort, camera and speed.
Trust us: Samsung’s next generation smartphone wastes no space whatsoever.
But starting at around £689 for a SIM-free device and around £55 per month on a contract, it's a lot of cash to part with.
Screen
Let's face it, we spend an increasing amount of time on our phones.
So we might as well be comfortable while we mindlessly flick through Facebook or stream Line of Duty on our lunch break.
With the Samsung S8 and S8+, you're getting a mammoth screen which is designed to fit perfectly in your hand.
Wave goodbye to smartphone wrist - an ailment that afflicts repeated selfie takers - because this beauty lets you do everything you want it to, using just one hand.
The new Samsung S8 has a 12MP and 8MP dual camera which takes two shots at the same time
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It's all down to the rounded edges and stripped away bezels, it's lightweight feel and its lack of home button, which has now been banished to the history books.
Like the iPod's jog wheel, we reckon the pesky menu button will be confined to history books as an odd technological quirk.
The new generation smartphone has improved the curved screen from the S7, which often made it difficult to edit text that ran onto the edge.
Samsung s7 owners will notice the size of the phone hasn't increased, but the absence of the screen and home button frame makes it feel a lot larger than before.
It comes with the industry’s first 10nm chip for speedy processing, so your apps will jam up less too.
The S8 connects to Samsung's smart fridge, which lets you take snaps of the contents which stream directly to your smartphone
Security
Samsung promised foolproof security, but be wary of its fad facial unlock feature.
It has a fingerprint sensor placed on the back means you can access your phone as you pick it up, and improved front camera sensor lets you unlock your phone with your face.
But the camera is easily fooled using a photo, it recently emerged.
While it's useful for when your phone locks and you don't want to keep inputting your PIN, it's not ideal if you want to keep your data super secure, or use banking apps on your phone. You're better off sticking to traditional security measures.
Battery
Running at HD you get impressive battery power.
We put it to the test with some extensive selfie snapping.
With data running, and taking photos solidly for about an hour-and-a-half (they weren't JUST selfies), I lost about 40 per cent battery.
It comes with a superfast charger which S7 owners will know, charges your battery in minutes.
Only problem, it's changed its charger port to a USB C, rendering your old Samsung chargers defunct.
Camera
The camera is one of this phone's most impressive features.
The 12MP rear camera means you can capture long distances in high quality, and the 8MP is perfect for selfies.
It produces beautiful snaps and has a "pro" function which lets you edit tone, light and frames just like a traditional camera.
It also has a huge variety of effects and Snapchat style filters and badges.
Add-ons
You've splashed your savings on a new smartphone, so a new fridge might not be on the cards, but Samsung's integrated home products line could be in homes of the future.
A new docking system called Samsung Dex lets you turn your mobile into a desktop PC.
Simply place it in the dock and your phone apps will appear on your screen and let you take calls using the speaker while you browse.
Brits who snap up the new phone can look forward to a useful voice assistant called Bixby.
Bixby voice assistant
There's been much ado about Bixby, Samsung's answer to Apple's Siri.
Bixby, which will be rolled out first in Korea, lets you control your phone using your voice alone.
For now, it's only available in South Korea, where Samsung is headquartered. The US will follow, and a UK launch date is yet to be revealed.
But it promises to let you control your apps - even non Samsung ones - using your voice alone.
It has its own button to turn the system on, which despite appearing to defeat the point, means your phone won't start piping up when it's not needed.
After a tough couple of years, thanks to exploding smartphones and spying smart tellies, this flagship gadget is a triumphant return.
If you fancy it, it will be available in shops from April 29.
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