[jimmyjam22]

Hope it's not true, for me that's a deal breaker..

[Aquila]

You hope it is there or isn't? I hope it isn't.

[Ry]

Wouldn't sway my decision either way.

[jimmyjam22]

Don't get me wrong, the S8+ will be / is the best out there period JMO.
As for as the was anticipated IR blaster, I control what seems like a warehouse full of high end home theater devices with my S6 as well as many other things.
I don't use that stupid "peel smart remote" that came stock with my S6 that Samsung, bases their decision of to include or not include the IR blaster in their flagship phone.
Just seems like a big let down after rumors especially said it would be back.
There are work arounds through home networks and external hardware.
I will have to evaluate, like everyone here I would like to get my hands on the S8+

[Aquila]

It seems like it does not, but not sure if that's something they would have specified or not. Maybe you'll get lucky?

[Ry]

Don't get me wrong, the S8+ will be / is the best out there period JMO.
As for as the was anticipated IR blaster, I control what seems like a warehouse full of high end home theater devices with my S6 as well as many other things.
I don't use that stupid "peel smart remote" that came stock with my S6 that Samsung, bases their decision of to include or not include the IR blaster in their flagship phone.
Just seems like a big let down after rumors especially said it would be back.
There are work arounds through home networks and external hardware.
I will have to evaluate, like everyone here I would like to get my hands on the S8+

This is why you don't judge on rumors.

[gdubs2013]

Samsung will never put an IR in their phones again. They plan/currently use bluetooth for all remote control functions on their home theater devices. No reason for them to support competitors devices.

[Ry]

Samsung will never put an IR in their phones again. They plan/currently use bluetooth for all remote control functions on their home theater devices. No reason for them to support competitors devices.

Is there an official statement on that or is this just an assumption?

[gdubs2013]

I have never seen Samsung make any statement on removing the IR blaster. Just an observation that feels even more confirmed with the Android 7 update on the S7 which now notifies you when there is a Samsung TV on your wifi network that you can control/interact with.

[jimmyjam22]

This is not official
https://www.google.com/amp/www.andro...r-blaster/amp/

[recDNA]

I have a V20 and love it and never anticipated buying an s8 or s8plus but if they put ir blaster back they're gonna get me back. Damn.

[anon(1733)]

I never use the ir blaster myself. It's useless for me so it doesn't make an impression one way or the other. But I definitely see the benefit for others who do use it. It definitely has its place.

[1812dave]

My Samsung Gear 2 has an IR blaster and I use it. Hard to believe that they can't manage to put an IR blaster in their phones

[Aquila]

My Samsung Gear 2 has an IR blaster and I use it. Hard to believe that they can't manage to put an IR blaster in their phones

They can, but they also measure how much features are used when deciding what comes standard for future products. Everything has moved on to smart products.

[KupKrazy]

I have never seen Samsung make any statement on removing the IR blaster. Just an observation that feels even more confirmed with the Android 7 update on the S7 which now notifies you when there is a Samsung TV on your wifi network that you can control/interact with.

I don't think they would have to make a statement on removing the IR blaster when it was removed from the S7, S7 edge, and Note 7? I never even considered the possibility of it coming back to be honest. It was cool to have but not enough people used it I guess?

[anon(27512)]

They can, but they also measure how much features are used when deciding what comes standard for future products. Everything has moved on to smart products.

Off topic but is there an led notification light?

[honda-Dave]

I doubt they will bring the IR blaster back, it's been missing from the last couple phones, so why put something on the phone a handful of people will use. I liked it, even though there are better options out now.