SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 8 AND GALAXY S8 + Comparative Review

Introduction

If this review could be reduced to one tweet level, it would be written "Buy Galaxy Note 8" and stood emoticons and hashtegi. However, we are more disclosed as described as they came to this conclusion, despite the fact that one smartphone clearly exceeds the other.

Both devices are large and powerful, beautiful and have software capabilities in the quantity that you will never need. Only Note 8 has a double camera, which offers the bokeh effect and a 2-fold zoom. Only in Note 8 there is a digital stylus S-PEN to create notes, drawing and editing images. Is it enough for this to make a choice in favor of an expensive device?

Design

If you look at the appearance and sensations, two smartphones are in many ways similar. They have an Infinity Display screen with a minimal framework along the edges that are almost entirely occupied by the front side of the body. This gives a futuristic appearance, like a combination of glass and metal. If we talk about the sensation in the palm, the curved angles of S8 + many like more than the more square Note 8.

The Infinity Display screen has consists, including the greater chance of smaking when falling. Because of their size, I had to transfer the print scanner to the opposite direction. There he is in an inconvenient position next to the camera, where it is difficult to reach it and you can drink lenses.

In terms of durability, both are water and dust resistant IP68. This protection also extends to the stylus, which can also be used in the rain.

Looking at the sides of smartphones, you'll find the familiar combination of volume rocker and power button. Also on these Samsung smartphones there is a button to launch the digital assistant Bixby. The purpose of this button cannot be changed, as many would like. It's also easy to hit it by accident, as it's on the other side opposite the power button, so it's easy to get confused.

Screen

Screen quality in none of these smartphones won't disappoint you. It uses saturated panels AMOLED with a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels. By default, the resolution is set to 1080p to save power. This is quite enough for most users, but if you want maximum detail, you can easily change the resolution in the settings.

There are also different screen modes in the settings. Most users will be fine with the default adaptive mode, but color accuracy is better in basic mode.

Like the S8+, the Note 8 excels when viewed outdoors. The blue color filter here is called "Night Mode" and reduces eye strain in the dark.

By default, Always On Display is enabled on both smartphones, so you can view the time and unread notifications without turning on the screen. You can watch HDR supported videos from YouTube.

Interface and functionality

This is where the comparison becomes more interesting. At first glance, in terms of software, these smartphones are the same, since both run on Android Nougat with the Samsung Experience skin. The presence of the S-Pen stylus defines the difference between the Note 8 interface, as the possibilities of interaction with the device become wider. Using the stylus, you can draw, write, sign images, use it to navigate the interface.

S8+ can hardly be called defective without a stylus, so its absence will not be a big drawback. On the other hand, a stylus doesn't hurt as it can improve work efficiency and make entertainment more interesting.

Interface Galaxy Note 8

Not counting the stylus, smartphones are able to perform a number of software tricks the same well. On both you can configure the location of the navigation buttons. Both support graphic themes. There is Facial recognition and scanning a rainbow shell, which are used instead of fingerprint scanner, although the latter remains the most convenient option. On both devices there is a Virtual SAMSUNG BIXBY Assistant. This list can be continued further.

Interface Galaxy S8 +

A small difference can be found in the operation of two applications at the same time. Note 8 you can create a bundle of two applications. This predetermined setting is a shortcut on the EDGE sidebar, clicking on which two programs start side by side. It is convenient if you regularly use the same combination application. For example, on the one hand, it can be opened in a browser with an article in English, on the other hand, a text editor, where you translate this article into Russian.

For multitasking work, these smartphones are among the most convenient due to their large and long screens. Samsung interface is convenient for messengers, on-screen keyboard and video from YouTube.

Processor and Memory

Here you can not go into details, since these two devices are equally powerful. Both are working on the processor Snapdragon 835 or Samsung Exynos 8895 in Russia. These are the most productive processors on Android, capable of cope with heavy games and many applications simultaneously.

There is differences in the amount of of RAM : in S8 + 4 GB, in Note 8 6 GB. Theoretically, this will allow you to open more applications at the same time and speed up the speed of downloading applications and switch between them. In practice, the difference is difficult to see even when launching a dozen programs. The speed also depends on which these programs are and how the device is configured. If the requirements in the future increase, Note 8 will be better ready for it.

The minimum volume of flash memory in both devices is 64 GB. This is enough to store photos and video in 4K format in reasonable quantities. For unreasonable volumes, there are memory cards microSD.

Cameras

Double Camera Note 8 is one of the most promotable advantages of this smartphone. It is similar to the option from iPhone 7 Plus. The main module with a resolution of 12 MP in itself the ability to relieve well in any situations, auxiliary module with telephoto lenses provides a 2-fold optical zoom, which allows you to increase the image without loss of quality. Also, the second camera allows you to wash the background, and you can do it after the photo is removed. On S8 + rear camera one with a resolution of 12 megapixel. This same camera as the main on Note 8.

Galaxy Note 8 camera interface

Since the rear camera on S8 + one, in the camera application you will not find the "live focus" shooting mode, there are also 2-fold zoom buttons. There are significant differences on this. In both cases, the application contains many modes of shooting and controls, but rarely used settings are removed in a separate menu.

Camera Interface Galaxy S8 +

Image Quality

Since the camera on smartphones is used the same, the same quality of photos was expected, but on Note 8 they were better. It seems that the whole thing is in software. Note 8 does not try so aggressively increase sharpness, as S8 +. If you enlarge the image in pictures with Note 8, the radiance on the edges will be less.

The rest of the smartphones behave familiar to the Samsung devices. In general, the quality of photos can be called excellent. Noticeable tendency to strengthen colors saturation in certain scenes. In some cases, this is appropriate, in other too live colors can take a picture unnatural.

It is not surprising that with an increase in the image, the detailing is higher in photos with Note 8. The difference cannot be called radical, but it is noticeable, especially in daylight. With too low lighting, it is impossible to use a 2-fold zoom due to technical restrictions, but even with a weak light, a 2-fold optical zoom manifests itself better than digital on S8 +.

Quality of Self

The front cameras on both smartphones have a resolution of 8 megapixel and autofocus, the quality of photos is good even with low lighting. HDR is supported, if you need a backlight, the screen may turn on the entire brightness. The difference as pictures is invisible.

Video quality

Smartphones can shoot video on permissions up to 4K, giving saturated rollers with high detail with sufficient light. The Note 8 double camera is again highlighted by its 2-fold zoom, when using which the detail is preserved better than with a digital zoom in S8 +. Autofocus is familiar to Samsung smartphones work quickly. Sound on video with Note 8 cleaner and better writes high frequencies.

Multimedia

In this price category, not only smartphones are usually included. With these two models, AGK headphones are coming. Let them are imperfect, with other smartphones there are no such.

On both smartphones, the only speaker is located at the bottom, it gives sufficient volume and acceptable quality. The level is approximately the same on S8 + and Note 8.

Both smartphones are excellent fit fans watch video. Screens are large, bright and high-quality. You can watch Youtube video with HDR support.

Call quality

For all these capabilities, you can forget that smartphones are also cell phones. There are no problems with communication on these devices. There will be no difficulty with sound quality of sound and your interlocutors.

Autonomous operation

This is one of the few aspects in which S8 + has superiority. It uses a battery 3500 mAh against 3300 mAh in Note 8. Due to this, the duration of S8 + is higher. In real life, the difference will be minimal. Both smartphones are able to work a full day with a moderate load. A lot depends on the settings; if you turn off Always On Display, the runtime will increase slightly.

Both devices support fast charging when using the included adapter or compatible replacement. There is also fast wireless charging.

Conclusion

As expected, there are many similarities between the two smartphones, otherwise Advantages of Note 8. The presence of a stylus and a dual camera determines its superiority. The S8+ boasts a larger battery that offers marginally longer runtime.

In terms of pricing, the Note 8 is more expensive. Its price in Russia starts from 70,000 rubles, while S8 + can be found for 45,000 rubles. Thus, if you do not need a stylus and a dual camera, the difference is 25,000 rubles. makes the choice in favor of the S8+ obvious.

Pros of Galaxy Note 8