I Tried an S8+.. I lasted a week

[NightOrchid]

I decided to give an S8+ a try on a 14 day cooldown and find out what all this SS fuss is about.. So i unboxed and updated to latest UK unbranded firmware (still no BIXBY voice in UK yet though) and well..

Theres no denying its gorgeous.. stunning screen and fantastic single camera, even the speaker isnt too bad.. probably because the bigger body of the S8+ over the S8 gives the speaker audio better resonance..

but then.. after 3 days, my "honeymoon" glasses came off because the issues started... I kept hitting the BIXBY button instead of the volume down rocker.. and I couldnt remap it because Bixby is also a swipe right from the Home Screen which also opens it.. so whats the point?.. and to be honest, all bixby did was collate everything inside my phone into one place.. Calls, messages, alarms, reminders, music..etc..

Im not going to mention the Fingerprint sensor placement because everyone knows about that..

Theres an app for EVERYTHING with a SS phone or its on the Samsung Store, I dont even need to bother looking for Play Store apps or trying anything else, which is good in one way because Samsung apps on Samsung phone.. less battery issues and crashes.. right.. hmm.. ... but every single SS app asked me for permission to access my Contacts, my Camera, my Photos,, even my Call History and text messages.. and that was just for a Note taking app (google Keep or MS OneNote doesnt ask for THAT much.. if any).. and it went on and on.. So obtrusive... wanting to track everything and everyone.. far worse than google apps.

And the worst of all... the Phantom Touches on the screen "edge" causing lock ups, freezes and apps opening randomly all over the place because its so damn sensitive and wraps round the phone..

So in the end.. I became so frustrated and annoyed with it... I cancelled and returned the S8+.

Although I loved the camera, stunning quality.. even if the on-screen menus and settings were a little cluttered

Dont get me wrong, the S8+ is a gorgeous "looking" phone.. but the constant app permission from SS to access your information, the "phantom touchs" screen and the OK-ish speaker just make me feel its not worth £750+ / £45 p/m contract for 2 years.. which is a shame, because I really wanted to like it, but its neither a practical every day usable device or sensible to use.. its all too much flash.

But it made me appreciate why I love the G6 and its simplicity

Cheers

 

[Almeuit]

I decided to give an S8+ a try on a 14 day cooldown and find out what all this SS fuss is about.. So i unboxed and updated to latest UK unbranded firmware (still no BIXBY voice in UK yet though) and well..

Theres no denying its gorgeous.. stunning screen and fantastic single camera, even the speaker isnt too bad.. probably because the bigger body of the S8+ over the S8 gives the speaker audio better resonance..

but then.. after 3 days, my "honeymoon" glasses came off because the issues started... I kept hitting the BIXBY button instead of the volume down rocker.. and I couldnt remap it because Bixby is also a swipe right from the Home Screen which also opens it.. so whats the point?.. and to be honest, all bixby did was collate everything inside my phone into one place.. Calls, messages, alarms, reminders, music..etc..

Im not going to mention the Fingerprint sensor placement because everyone knows about that..

Theres an app for EVERYTHING with a SS phone or its on the Samsung Store, I dont even need to bother looking for Play Store apps or trying anything else, which is good in one way because Samsung apps on Samsung phone.. less battery issues and crashes.. right.. hmm.. ... but every single SS app asked me for permission to access my Contacts, my Camera, my Photos,, even my Call History and text messages.. and that was just for a Note taking app (google Keep or MS OneNote doesnt ask for THAT much.. if any).. and it went on and on.. So obtrusive... wanting to track everything and everyone.. far worse than google apps.

And the worst of all... the Phantom Touches on the screen "edge" causing lock ups, freezes and apps opening randomly all over the place because its so damn sensitive and wraps round the phone..

So in the end.. I became so frustrated and annoyed with it... I cancelled and returned the S8+.

Although I loved the camera, stunning quality.. even if the on-screen menus and settings were a little cluttered

Dont get me wrong, the S8+ is a gorgeous "looking" phone.. but the constant app permission from SS to access your information, the "phantom touchs" screen and the OK-ish speaker just make me feel its not worth £750+ / £45 p/m contract for 2 years.. which is a shame, because I really wanted to like it, but its neither a practical every day usable device or sensible to use.. its all too much flash.

But it made me appreciate why I love the G6 and its simplicity

Cheers

Glad you have it a try. I don't have the issues you described (the app thing I just use my apps and don't touch the Samsung duplicates). It definitely won't be for everyone.

The G6 is a more then capable phone for many to use and enjoy... Along with that fun wide angle lenses .

 

[amyf27]

I see the attraction to either or on the 8+ and G6. Definitely a personal preference thing there. I haven't tried the G6 but really liked the V20 and did have the Nexus 6P for a short time. Those Google and LG devices were smooth and ran well. Would you be looking into the LG V3o when it comes out next month?

I currently have the 8+ and a Note 5. Will trade one in to get probably the Note 8 when it's available after the august launch date.

 

[Jeremiah Bonds]

Welcome back... Would that be correct to say?? Haha

 

[dlalonde]

I like constructive criticism even when it's negative. It breaks the "it's all wonderful" cycle that happens when a new phone comes out! ;-)

 

[FutureMech]

Honeymoon phase with galaxy or new phones isn't new, while the s8 are great phones, i believe they are way to overrated, would take G6 64gb over it, and mate 9 over both, eventually its all about preference, still its a shame that sammy marketing machine preventing from other manufacturers to rise.

 

[Qc_Anubis]

Honeymoon phase with galaxy or new phones isn't new, while the s8 are great phones, i believe they are way to overrated, would take G6 64gb over it, and mate 9 over both, eventually its all about preference, still its a shame that sammy marketing machine preventing from other manufacturers to rise.

Although i agree i lasted way past the honeymoon phase with mine before i ended up trading My biggest reason for it was i wanted to try the g6 real bad XD

 

[devaa]

I didn't even bother to try that waste of money, i went straight up to LG, and now i'm feeling so fly like a G6.

 

[FutureMech]

Hehe some G6 having locked bootloader, that's also a letdown, i remember with G4 and G3, there was exploit that was used in order to root those, i saw on XDA that many have locked bootloader...

And I've read today that G6 isn't selling well, well the reason is obvious, Samsung S8 series or to be more precise, Samsung marketing and lack of marketing on LG part

 

[NightOrchid]

Yeah, the S8+ is a great phone.. it really is.. I mean the camera is one of the best Ive ever used if a little over saturated at times, but theres no denying its clarity and great in low light, but for me, the un-mappable Bixby button and the curved screen became a frustration in the end.

Even the latest version of touchwiz is actually not bad.. and I used to Hate it

I also want to praise some of the SS apps, because while they were too intrusive for my tastes... they were some really great ones.. I loved SS Focus, which was your entire phone life in 1 app.. it was great, also SS have a great app something similar to HTC ZOE, but again the hardware was just too fiddly and unpractical.. I always had this fear i was going to break it.. even with the TPU rubber grippy case on it (I never told Carphone Warehouse that ide dropped it 3x.. hehe).

For me though, the G6 is great and solid to hold, the single speaker is much better and just as loud (not as good as the G4, but close to the G5.. but I love the 2 cameras.. the wide angle is so useful, but its also the Video and photo manual modes.. its so clear and consise and easy to get around... both Square camera and having your gallery on-screen is useful and makes it all fast and sleek...

For an LCD, the G6 screen is amazing.. not quite as bright outdoors as the S8 and the G6 AOD could be brighter.., but still bright.. Im back on the G6 now and very happy...

however, being in UK, we dont get any of the "V Series" phones here, plus the UK just gets the Basic G6 model.. 32GB /No Wireless / No HiFi DAC... then LG pull the G6+ stunt... which sticks in my throat..

The 821 vs 835 chipset debate doesnt bother me in the slightest.. I dont care about specs or that reviews try to tell me I should care about sepcs... if my phone does what i want it to do.. and I get updates for at least a year or even 2 years.. then Im happy...

Also, I actually lasted 12 days.. not just the week, but in the UK, if you buy a contract from O2, you have 14 days to "cooldown" and refund / return.. so I didnt lose any money on it, but I wouldve kept it, if it had worked for me..

I would never discourage anyone from trying an S8 / 8+ for themselves it is a great phone.. for the right person.. seriously , go for it, but for me.. its just too much flash and not enough "practical..

 

[Tim1954]

We each have different experiences and expectations from our devices. What is great for one, someone else will hate. That's the beauty of it, you can choose what suits you best! Nobody's right or wrong about devices, you get what you like, I get what I like and we are all happy little Vegemites

 

[tube517]

Nice to have the freedom of choice rather than stale "fruit". Thanks for the post.

 

[pkcable]

Not sure how this will compare to the G6, BUT checking my S8 against my iPhone 7 Plus, I consistently get better LTE speed on the S8, usually by 10-20M If I'm getting 70-80M on the iPhone, I'm getting 90 to 100M on the S8 (at home) IF I'm at the office (bad network saturation) on the iPhone I'm getting 5-10M while on the S8 it's 20-25M!

 

[recDNA]

OT but when is the next Pixel coming out?

 

[pkcable]

OT but when is the next Pixel coming out?

Sept/Octish?

 

[NightOrchid]

Not sure how this will compare to the G6, BUT checking my S8 against my iPhone 7 Plus, I consistently get better LTE speed on the S8, usually by 10-20M If I'm getting 70-80M on the iPhone, I'm getting 90 to 100M on the S8 (at home) IF I'm at the office (bad network saturation) on the iPhone I'm getting 5-10M while on the S8 it's 20-25M!

Ive also owned a 7+, but found the LTE/4G worked great for me on O2..

Arent LTE speeds dependent on your carrier, rather than phone?


recDNA, not sure if the rumurs/leaks are true... but if Google actually have gotten LG to remove the headphone jack on their new Pixel XL 2, then Im not interested.

I just hope LG dont think removing the headphone jack is a good idea on their own phones, or we could see the G7 following Apple and HTC.. I do realise Tech has to advance, but IMO, this is a stupid idea and another excuse for devs to pull an Apple and start charging for priority only phones..

Although I could forgive LG if they fill that wasted headphone space with stereo speakers..

Lets hope eh

 

[Mike Dee]

This is a cool thread. People discussing 2 killer phones without beating each other up.

 

[dlalonde]

This is a cool thread. People discussing 2 killer phones without beating each other up.

Which should always be the case... it's just a bloody phone!

 

[Jeremiah Bonds]

Very rare.

 

[devaa]

Yeah it's nice to see friendly discusse.. Well both of them are great, it just depends on what you like, goten used to and need to... I don't think anyone can go wrong with either of the two named. Two of my friends have the s8 and it really is great but it just didn't settle on me. But there is nothing questionable in fact that s8 is killer phone, it's fluid, great camera, big screen, great hardware, but hey i still like flying like a g6