Key Features

• Android 7.1 (Nougat)
• 5.8 inch QHD+ Always-On Super AMOLED display
• 2.4 GHz Samsung Exynos 9 Octa 8995 processor
• 12MP dual-pixel camera with Smart OIS
• 8MP selfie camera with face tracking autofocus
• 3,000 mAh battery with fast charging and wireless charging (Qi or PMA)

Overview

Infinity Display

The Samsung Galaxy S8's screen measures a huge 5.8 inches. If you think that might be too big, just wait until you physically see the phone.

With their 3D glass and Edge technology, Samsung has become incredibly adept at fitting a big screen in a body that belies its size. Research and Development have gone into further miniaturising common internal components, so the screen can be stretched right to the edge. 

This new screen has a unique 18.5: 9 screen ratio, making it taller than before. Plus with practically zero edge bezel and only minimal edges to the top and bottom, almost the entire front surface of the phone is the screen. 

That screen ratio will allow for traditional 16:9 widescreen content from YouTube, Netflix and other services to play without issue. It also means many movies and other features shot in more cinematic widescreen will fit better, with less black borders.

Samsung's much-praised Super AMOLED+ technology delivers incredible contrast ratios and rich colours, as well as improving battery life and allowing for smart notifications through 'always-on' technology.

The QHD+ resolution of 1440 x 2960 is the first of its kind. This is also the first smartphone to be given an HDR certification from the UHD alliance. With this, streaming services such as Amazon & Netflix will be able to provide tailored 4K content that displays natively. 

Integrated into the bottom section of the phone is an invisible Virtual Home Button. A pressure sensitive area of the screen, localised vibrations provide feedback so you can have extra actions beyond simply returning to the home screen. 

Camera

Samsung has made a bold move with the Galaxy S8 by keeping the same camera module and lens installed as the last generation. This includes Optical Image Stabilisation and the f/1.7 aperture, 1/2.5" sensor size and 1.4µm pixels as before. 

Now, this is no bad thing; the S7 range camera was (and still is!) widely considered to be one of the best available. 

So what's changed? Well rather than spend time on the hardware, Samsung has put all of their imaging resources this year into improving the software available to the S8.  

As any photography aficionado will tell you, image processing is just as important as the lens and sensor itself. 

The camera now has the ability to take multiple shots at the same time, interlacing them to create the sharpest result. This is similar but distinct to HDR+ technology. 

The front facing camera has received an improvement. This is now up to 8 megapixels with the same f/1.7 aperture as the rear and includes face-tracking autofocus with HDR.