Also new is Bixby, an intelligent interface that will help users get more out of their phone
After failing to announce its new premium smartphones at Mobile World Congress a month ago, Samsung has now introduced the Galaxy S8 and S8+. Also, the company has launched new services and apps, as well as an Infinity Display for immersive viewing experiences.
Available in 5.8 inch Galaxy S8 and 6.2 inch Galaxy S8+, the Infinity Display and bezel-less design form a smooth, continuous surface with no buttons or harsh angles. The result is an immersive viewing experience without distractions and makes multi-tasking more convenient.
The Galaxy S8’s compact design enables comfortable one-handed operation and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back for durability and a high quality finish.
In addition to the new design innovations, Samsung has delivered cutting edge technology including an advanced camera, enhanced performance and more.
The Galaxy S8 and S8+ are equipped with an advanced 8MP F1.7 Smart autofocus front camera and 12MP F1.7 Dual Pixel rear camera for the best low-light, zoom and anti-blur photos with enhanced image processing.
Packing powerful performance and connectivity, the Galaxy S8 and S8+ feature the industry’s first 10nm processor, enabling heightened speed and efficiency. It is also gigabit LTE and gigabit Wi-Fi ready with support for up to 1Gbps so users can quickly download files, regardless of the file size.
As the world’s first mobile device certified by the UHD Alliance as Mobile HDR Premium, Galaxy S8 and S8+ let you see the same vibrant colours and contrasts that the filmmakers intended while watching your favourite shows. In addition, the Galaxy S8 and S8+ offer next level gaming experiences with vivid and superior graphic technology, as well as Game Pack, featuring top game titles, including select titles supported by the Vulkan API.
The Galaxy S8 and S8+ are also built on Samsung Knox, a defence-grade security platform. In addition, the Galaxy S8 and S8+ will offer a wide selection of biometric technologies including a fingerprint scanner, iris scanner and facial recognition so users can select a secure biometric authentication method that works best for them.
“The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ usher in a new era of smartphone design and fantastic new services, opening up new ways to experience the world,” said DJ Koh, president of mobile communications business, Samsung Electronics. “The Galaxy S8 and S8+ are our testament to regaining your trust by redefining what’s possible in safety and marks a new milestone in Samsung’s smartphone legacy.”
The Galaxy S8 and S8+ will also come with the foundational Galaxy features of: IP68 water and dust resistance; MicroSD support up to 256GB; always-on display; and fast and wireless charging capabilities.
Also new is Bixby, an intelligent interface that will help users get more out of their phone. With the new Bixby button, users can access Bixby and navigate through services and apps with simple voice, touch, vision and text commands.
At launch, Bixby’s Voice function will integrate with several Samsung native apps and features including Camera, Contacts, Gallery, Messages and Settings, with the plan to expand its capabilities to include more Samsung and third party apps in the near future. Contextual awareness capabilities enable Bixby to offer personalised help based on what it continues to learn about the user’s interests, situation and location.
Users can also shop, search for images and get details about nearby places with Bixby’s image recognition technology. As the Bixby ecosystem grows, it will connect across devices, apps and services as a ubiquitous interface, and open up new experiences and scenarios to simplify life.
The Galaxy S8 and S8+ offer robust portfolios of products and services, elevating both devices’ experience for premiere mobile productivity and connectivity. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ unlock the new Gear VR with Controller, powered by Oculus. Enabling convenient one-handed control and navigation, the controller provides better motion interaction when accessing interactive VR content. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ will also connect to the new Gear 360 to create 4K 360-degree videos and 15MP photos.
Also, using the processing power of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ for enhanced productivity, Samsung DeX is a unique solution that transforms a smartphone into a desktop by providing a secure desktop-like experience. With Samsung DeX, users can easily display and edit data from their phone, making working from a smartphone faster and smarter.
In addition, as more IoT devices enter the market and the connected network becomes more complex, Samsung Connect simplifies smart device management. With Samsung Connect, users can easily activate IoT-enabled devices through a quick three-step configuration process and manage all connected devices through one integrated app.
The Galaxy S8 and S8+ will be available starting on 21 April, and will be offered in a rich colour palette including Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue and Maple Gold.