I have a Galaxy S8 in my hands — AMA!

[Frozen Corpse]

Hey everyone, for the next couple of days I have a Galaxy S8 to put through its paces. The hardware is pre-production, and the software isn't final (though it's close) so I thought I'd get a discussion going.

This is, specifically, the SM-G950W, which has a Snapdragon 835 processor along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

At first glance, this is a very nice phone. The smaller GS8 feels incredible in the hand, and easy enough to use with one hand. The screen's curved edges are also much less severe than the Galaxy S7, which makes swiping from edges considerably easier.

I've also used the camera a little, and the results are... interesting. At first glance, it doesn't capture as much detail as the Galaxy S7, but the colors also seem more realistic and less exaggerated. We're paying very close attention to this, and will be doing a separate comparison.

So, what else do you want to know? Let me know and I'll try my best to answer your questions!

Is it worth purchasing if one owns the S7E?

 

[tokuzumi]

Can the capacitive buttons be reversed, to mimic the normal Android arrangement? Back/Home/Task Manager, instead of Samsung's Task Manager/Home/Back?

 

[gendo667]

Can the capacitive buttons be reversed, to mimic the normal Android arrangement? Back/Home/Task Manager, instead of Samsung's Task Manager/Home/Back?

They can. I saw it on a video this afternoon.

 

[tcdude]

You mentioned the curves are less profound does this mean there is less bleeding or distortion with videos on the screen?

 

[eszklar]

Does this and the S8+ support Band 66 LTE?

Edit: Nevermind -

http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/03/29/freedom-mobile-confirms-galaxy-s8-band-66-lte-network/

So, Daniel, you can crank that S8 on Freedom Mobile now.

 

[DWS44]

How's the pressure sensitive virtual home button? Can you still double "click" to launch the camera?

Been wondering if the virtual home button could still launch the camera as well!

 

[markk132]

So they crammed a 5.8" screen into a small phone, great. But the aspect ratio is unlike 95% of the other phones out there. So when watching videos on youtube for example, what is the effective screen size for 16:9 videos once you subtract the presumed black bars on each side? I would think there would be a lot of interest in this question since a lot of us spend a lot of time watching videos.. thanks

 

[afsd]

Hi, I would love to know what the maximum length the shutter speed can be set to in 'pro mode' in the camera app ?
Am hoping it's more than 10 seconds like the S7!
Many thanks!

 

[mariusfilip]

Is one handed use better than the S7 Edge? Thx

 

[jdunker26]

Interested in speaker quality.

 

[EMGSM]

How's the pressure sensitive virtual home button? Can you still double "click" to launch the camera?

I saw a video by SuperSaf TV which show double tapping the power button to quick launch the camera.

 

[Cobravision]

What are the framerate and resolution options for slow motion? There was a rumor of 1000 fps, presumably at SD or lower resolution.

 

[Crosswhite17]

Why aren't replies attached to the comment you are responding to?

 

[Crosswhite17]

Forget the facial scanner, I have already seen it fooled by a photo on a phone.

 

[jdunker26]

Why aren't replies attached to the comment you are responding to?

Because he hasn't replied to anything.

 

[Frozen Corpse]

Interested in speaker quality.

Same here since the speakers on my S7 Edge wasn't all that great.

 

[redsoxfan26]

What is the size of the phone compared to the Note5?

 

[Wizzy]

Can the virtual home button wake the phone or do you need to use the power button? Can it also launch the camera from standby?

 

[Orion78]

How is that orchid grey in person?

 

[Daniel Bader]

How would you compare the accidental edge touches on the s8 vs the s7 edge? This was main gripe with the s7 edge.

So far so good. It's WAY easier to swipe in from the left side of apps that still require it. It's not perfect but it's more like the Note 7 than the GS7.