Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus Review (2017): Bigger, Bolder, and Brilliant

Introduction: The Galaxy Grows

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 Plus in 2017, it wasn’t just releasing a bigger phone. It was redefining what a “Plus” model could be.

Building on the design revolution of the Galaxy S8, the S8 Plus offered a larger screen, bigger battery, and the same futuristic design that made heads turn. It was a smartphone built for those who wanted the ultimate visual experience without sacrificing portability or performance. In a world shifting toward bezel-less designs, the Galaxy S8 Plus stood out as a symbol of precision, elegance, and power.

Design and Build: Elegance Stretched to Perfection

The Galaxy S8 Plus inherited the beautiful curves and seamless glass-metal construction of its smaller sibling, but on a grander scale.

• Dimensions:5 × 73.4 × 8.1 mm
• Weight: 173 g
• Build: Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides, aluminium frame
• Colors: Midnight Black, Orchid Grey, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold

Holding the phone feels luxurious. Despite its size, the curved edges make it surprisingly comfortable in hand. The symmetry between the glass and metal is near perfect.

Samsung removed the physical home button and stretched the screen to the edges, giving the Galaxy S8 Plus a futuristic look that still turns heads years later. The placement of the fingerprint sensor beside the camera was a minor drawback, but it hardly overshadowed how premium and refined the design was.

Display: The Infinity Display at Its Best

The highlight of the Galaxy S8 Plus is its enormous and stunning 6.2-inch Infinity Display.

• Type: Super AMOLED
• Resolution: 2960 × 1440 (Quad HD+)
• Pixel Density: 529 ppi
• Aspect Ratio:5:9
• HDR Support: Yes
• Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5

This was the largest display ever fitted into a Galaxy S phone, yet it didn’t feel unwieldy. Thanks to the slim bezels and tall aspect ratio, Samsung managed to create an immersive screen that fits comfortably in the hand.

The Super AMOLED panel delivers breathtaking color accuracy, perfect contrast, and excellent brightness. Watching movies or playing games feels like a cinematic experience. The Infinity Display on the Galaxy S8 Plus wasn’t just a screen; it was Samsung’s statement of innovation.

Specifications: Power in Every Pixel

Everything about the S8 Plus specs screams flagship. It combines powerful hardware with a stunning design to create a complete smartphone experience.

Performance: Fast, Fluid, and Efficient

The Galaxy S8 Plus was powered by the Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835, depending on region. Both chips were built on a 10 nm process, offering a blend of speed and efficiency that kept the phone running cool and smooth.

Apps opened instantly, multitasking was seamless, and gaming performance was excellent. Samsung’s Game Launcher and Game Tools gave players better control, recording features, and performance modes. Whether you were streaming, gaming, or multitasking, the S8 Plus handled it all effortlessly, with no noticeable lag. Even in 2017, this was one of the fastest Android phones you could buy.

Camera: Subtle Improvements, Stunning Results

The Galaxy S8 Plus camera retained the winning formula from the S7 Edge but added smarter software processing.

• Rear Camera: 12 MP, f/1.7, Dual Pixel autofocus, OIS
• Front Camera: 8 MP, f/1.7, autofocus
• Video Recording: 4K @ 30 fps, 1080p @ 60 fps

Images from the Galaxy S8 Plus are sharp, vibrant, and well-balanced. The Dual Pixel sensor ensures lightning-fast focus, while the f/1.7 aperture captures plenty of light for beautiful low-light shots.

Samsung’s new multi-frame image processing captures multiple photos and merges them for enhanced detail and reduced noise. Selfies also received an upgrade with autofocus on the front camera, making portraits sharper and more consistent. In 2017, the Galaxy S8 Plus was one of the most reliable smartphone cameras on the market.

Software and Features: Smart, Simple, and Secure

The Galaxy S8 Plus launched with Android 7.0 Nougat and Samsung’s redesigned Grace UX, which later evolved into Samsung Experience.

Notable Features

• Bixby Assistant: Samsung’s new AI assistant for voice, vision, and reminders.
• Edge Panels: Customizable shortcuts for apps, contacts, and tasks.
• Always-On Display: Displays time, notifications, and battery status even when idle.
• Secure Folder: Protect private apps and data.
• Samsung Pay: Works with both NFC and MST terminals.

While Bixby was still developing, it showed Samsung’s determination to compete with Google Assistant and Siri.

The software overall felt smoother and lighter than previous TouchWiz versions, offering a more polished user experience.

Security: Multiple Ways to Unlock

Samsung gave users flexibility with multiple biometric options:

• Iris Scanner
• Facial Recognition
• Fingerprint Sensor
• Pattern, PIN, or Password

For corporate users and privacy-minded individuals, Samsung Knox provided military-grade protection for sensitive files and data.

Battery Life and Charging

A larger phone meant a larger battery. The Galaxy S8 Plus came with a 3500 mAh battery, offering more endurance than the standard S8.

Charging Features

• Fast Charging via USB Type-C
• Fast Wireless Charging

Thanks to the energy-efficient processor and optimized software, the battery life easily lasted a full day of mixed use, even on high brightness. Samsung also included enhanced safety protocols for battery testing to ensure reliability.

Connectivity and Multimedia

Samsung packed every modern connectivity option into the Galaxy S8 Plus.

• 4G LTE support
• Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac
• Bluetooth 5.0 (first on a Samsung flagship)
• NFC and MST for payments
• GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou support

Audio quality was exceptional. The AKG-tuned earphones included in the box produced rich, balanced sound. Combined with the vibrant display, the phone was a multimedia powerhouse for music, video, and gaming.

Galaxy S8 vs Galaxy S8 Plus

The S8 Plus offered the same performance but with a larger screen and longer battery life, making it perfect for multimedia lovers and heavy users.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Stunning 6.2-inch Infinity Display
• Premium curved glass design
• Excellent camera performance
• Powerful processor and smooth software
• Long battery life with fast and wireless charging
• IP68 water and dust resistance
• Expandable storage and headphone jack

Cons:

• Fingerprint sensor position not ideal
• Bixby voice assistant needed improvement
• Slightly slippery design

Conclusion: The Pinnacle of Samsung’s Design

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus wasn’t just a larger version of the S8; it was a statement of excellence. With its breathtaking Infinity Display, refined design, top-tier performance, and dependable camera, it stood at the top of the smartphone world in 2017.

It represented everything Samsung had learned from years of innovation. The combination of glass, metal, and technology created a masterpiece that defined what a premium smartphone should be. Even years later, the Galaxy S8 Plus remains iconic, a phone that shaped the future of smartphone design.

For anyone in 2017 looking for the best large-screen phone, the Galaxy S8 Plus was simply unbeatable.

Specs