Samsung Galaxy S8 has been unveiled, bringing to an end months of leaks and anticipation about the company’s first high-profile launch after the Note 7 disaster. Not surprisingly, both the Galaxy S8 and S8+ sport bezel-less displays, modern looking designs, a new intelligent digital assistant “Bixby” and the best possible hardware.
There’s no doubt that the Samsung’s Galaxy S8 is likely to be the best Android smartphone of the year. However, I still think that there aren’t many compelling reasons to switch to the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ just yet. Here are five reasons why you may hold off upgrading to the new phone.
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I do appreciate Samsung’s vision for a bezel-less future, but the Galaxy S8 isn’t perfect. To me, the placement of the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S8 is its biggest design flaw. The fingerprint scanner has been moved to the rear, right next to the camera. Well, that means the fingerprint is practically useless until you pick up the phone. Also, I can’t unlock the device anymore while it’s charging. More importantly, there’s always a chance of you end up smudging the Galaxy S8’s camera lens more often. To me, it all seems to be a major design flaw though the rear fingerprint scanner is finding popularity among many Android manufacturers.
No major camera upgrades
I still rate the Galaxy S7 as one of the best camera smartphones in the market. And I expected the Galaxy S8 to be even better than its predecessor in the mobile photography department. Surprisingly, Samsung has fitted the same Galaxy S7 camera into the Galaxy S8. Technically speaking, you still get the 12-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture shooter with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and 4K recording. There are some advancements in image processing too. However, the phone will struggle to deliver better zoom and depth of field, unlike the iPhone 7 Plus. The latter features two cameras on the rear, each with 12MP sensors: one standard wide angle 12MP lens alongside a telephoto lens with an optical 2X zoom.
That fancy display
On paper, at least, the Galaxy S8’s “Infinity” display sound really cool. But I don’t see the real benefit of having a higher aspect ratio (Samsung claims 18:5:9). For example, if you want to watch a video on YouTube on the Galaxy S8’s gorgeous screen then be ready to bear those black bars. That’s because the content that can watch on the YouTube is meant to be suited on a 16:9 display.
Note 7 debacle still haunts many
The Galaxy S8 and S8+ are the first smartphones released since the Note 7 recall, and they’re the ones to go through the company’s eight-step testing and inspection procedure. Of course, Samsung would like you to forget about the Note 7. Still, as a user, I might want to wait for a few more months to make sure the Galaxy S8 is actually as safe as Samsung claims it is.
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So many great alternatives
If Samsung didn’t manage to win over with the bezel-less Galaxy S8, there is a wide range of alternatives out there that might suit your needs. The iPhone 7 Plus is one such example. Not actually a bezel-less smartphone, but this Apple flagship is a very capable phone at the end of the day. The Google Pixel XL sports what claims to be the most advanced camera smartphone in the market. And yes, I don’t think there is a better smartphone than the Pixel XL to experience stock Android. And a device such asOnePlus 3T is equally good – at half the cost of the Galaxy S8. If you already have a Galaxy S7 edge, I don’t see a reason to switch to the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ unless you really belong to the fanboy club.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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