Thought you knew everything about the Galaxy S8 and S8+? Think again.
The new Galaxy S8 and S8+ from Samsung look incredibly good looking, sporting an all-glass design, dual curved screens, a digital voice assistant and wireless charging. Both smartphones will be pitted against the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus – and the iPhone 8 when it gets launched in September.
Thought you knew everything about the Galaxy S8 and S8+? Think again. In this piece we’ll tell you three such features you might not know about the Samsung’s flagship smartphones.
Iris scanner and facial recognition
Remember the iPhone 5s? It was the first iPhone that came with a new fingerprint scanner or “TouchID”. And ever since then every iPhone out there in the market has a quick unlocking feature. To make the Galaxy S8 and S8+ different from the iPhone, Samsung included the iris scanner which, according to the company can be used to unlock the phone or to gain access to the Secure folder.
Basically, the scanner uses an infrared sensor to detect patterns in a user’s iris. Simply hold the device from your face with the screen facing toward you, and position your eyes in the circles on the screen – and you’re done. No, this is not the first time Samsung has added an iris scanner to Galaxy-branded smartphone. Last year, the Galaxy Note 7 (now-defunct) too, featured an iris scanner. Both smartphones also include facial recognition feature. The devices feature an 8-megapixel front-facing camera that boasts facial recognition technology allowing users to login with their face.
As you might guess, the Galaxy S8 doesn’t include a physical home button. To make room for the “Infinity” display, Samsung decided to kill the traditional physical home button. Instead, there is a pressure-sensitive home button embedded underneath the display. So yes, the home button, as well as navigation keys, are now entirely software based.
Bluetooth 5.0
In addition, the Galaxy S8 is the first phone to come equipped with Bluetooth 5.0. For those who’re not aware, Bluetooth 5.0 is twice as fast as the current standard (v4.2); and it offers the four times the range. Plus, the Galaxy S8 will also have a “Bluetooth Dual Audio” feature. This feature allows the phone to stream audio to two Bluetooth headsets or speakers simultaneously, while still allowing users to control each device.
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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Thought you knew everything about the Galaxy S8 and S8+? Think again.
