Samsung introduced its much-awaited Galaxy Be aware 8 smartphone simply yesterday, and the system has already obtained quite a lot of constructive reactions from the media and customers alike. Nevertheless, many have expressed severe reservations concerning the cellphone’s pricing, which begins from $930 within the U.S. for the unlocked model, making it the one costliest mass-market smartphone in historical past. Certain, the top-end iPhone 7 Plus (128GB) does include a really comparable price-tag, however Apple does supply cheaper fashions of its flagship phablet. So in case you’re available in the market for a premium smartphone however don’t wish to pay an arm and a leg for it, it is best to take a look at our listing of the 8 finest Samsung Galaxy Be aware 8 options you should buy proper now:
1. Samsung Galaxy S8+: Finest Android Smartphone
Let’s begin off with the plain right here. You just like the look of the Galaxy Be aware 8, you’re keen on the tech within the Galaxy Be aware 8 and also you desperately need the ginormous, elongated Tremendous AMOLED Infinity Show of the Galaxy Be aware 8. So why are you options for the Galaxy Be aware 8? Oh yeah, the value. That’s the place the Galaxy S8+ is available in. Other than a number of options right here and there, the Galaxy S8+ will get you just about the whole lot the Be aware 8 presents, however at a comparatively extra pocket-friendly price-tag. The Galaxy S8+ comes with a nominally-smaller however equally spectacular 6.2-inch Tremendous AMOLED show with the identical WQHD+ decision (2960 x 1440) and is powered by the very same chipset(s): Snapdragon 835 within the US and China, and the Exynos 8895 in the remainder of the world. You additionally get 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage out-of-the-box, however there’s additionally a microSD slot for capability enlargement. The system additionally carries a 3,500mAh battery, which is a bit of larger than the three,300mAh unit on the Galaxy Be aware 8.
As for what you’ll miss out on? Nicely, in contrast to the Galaxy Be aware 8, you received’t get a dual-camera setup on the again, nor the S-Pen stylus that has change into a trademark of the Be aware line. The newest phablet from Samsung additionally comes with pre-installed Android 8.0 Oreo, an replace that’s solely more likely to be rolled out to your Galaxy S8+ someday subsequent yr. In case you’re prepared to reside with these main variations (and some comparatively much less vital ones), go get your self the Galaxy S8+, because it’s an incredible system that ought to serve you very effectively within the years to come back.
Purchase From Amazon: ($674.99)
2. Google Pixel XL: Finest Be aware 8 Various with Inventory Android
The Google Pixel XL is the bigger of the 2 first-generation Pixel smartphones launched final yr. The gadgets are designed, developed and marketed by Google, and manufactured by Taiwanese tech firm HTC. The system comes with premium {hardware}, however the actual lure of the Pixel lineup is the inventory Android that runs under-the-hood. If bloatware is an issue for you, look no additional than the Pixel lineup. We’re recommending the ‘XL’ mannequin as a result of it’s the bigger of the 2 Pixel gadgets, and can clearly be better-suited as a Galaxy Be aware 8 different. The Pixel XL encompasses a 5.5-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED show and, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC. The handset additionally comes with 4GB of DDR4 RAM and as much as 128GB of UFS 2.0 storage.
Just like the Galaxy Be aware 8, the Pixel XL additionally comes with a fingerprint scanner in addition to an NFC chip, though, in contrast to Samsung’s newest system, this one doesn’t have an iris scanner. On the constructive facet, although, its major digital camera has been rated greater than any smartphone digital camera ever by famend pictures web site DXOMark, so that you’re positive to get some fairly first rate pictures from this system regardless of lighting situations. Total, that is the smartphone to purchase if you happen to love fast updates, hate bloatware and use your cell as your major digital camera. Having stated that, the second-generation Pixel gadgets are anticipated to be launched shortly, so if you happen to’re not in a tearing hurry to get a brand new handset, we’d advise you to attend a number of weeks to get probably the most cutting-edge options with the Pixel 2 line-up.
Purchase From Amazon: ($789.99)
3. iPhone 7 Plus: Finest iPhone Ever
Android or iOS, whichever facet of the divide you’re on, you’ll must agree that the iPhone 7 Plus is the most effective smartphone ever launched by the Cupertino, California-based tech large. The system encompasses a 5.5” 1080p Retina HD show and is powered by the Apple A10 Fusion chipset with a quad-core CPU and hexa-core GPU. The system comes with 3GB of RAM and both 32GB, 128GB or 256GB of storage. Just like the Galaxy Be aware 8, the iPhone 7 Plus additionally ships with a dual-camera setup on the again. Apparently, the digital camera has the power to snap 8-megapixel photographs whereas recording 4K movies. The cellphone can be IP67 licensed, denoting resistance to mud and water, whereas the fingerprint scanner and the NFC chip ensures compatibility with Apple Pay. The iPhone 7 Plus additionally comes with 3D Contact that makes use of capacitive sensors built-in immediately into the show, very like the stress delicate on-screen Dwelling button of the Galaxy Be aware 8, however solely, extra feature-filled.
On the damaging facet, although, the iPhone 7 Plus appears positively drained subsequent to the cutting-edge design aesthetics of the Galaxy Be aware 8, nor does it have the three.5mm audio jack that you just’ll discover within the all-new Samsung system. Whereas Apple is unlikely to ever deliver the legacy audio port again to its smartphones, the bezel-less design could very effectively be part of the next-gen iPhone if the current rumors are something to go by. So if you happen to just like the design language of the newest Samsung phablet however need the software program options of iOS 11, wait a short while longer earlier than taking the plunge. The iPhone 8 is more likely to be much more costly than the Galaxy Be aware 8, however if you happen to’re an Apple fan and have a $1,000+ to burn on a spanking new smartphone, the iPhone 8 would possibly simply be the system for you.
Purchase From Amazon: ($899)
4. OnePlus 5: Finest Funds Galaxy Be aware 8 Various
The OnePlus 5 comes with top-shelf {hardware} that you just’d solely count on from gadgets costing considerably extra. Not solely does it have one of many quickest, most fascinating smartphone processors beneath its hood within the type of the Snapdragon 835, it is usually one of many first smartphones alongside the ASUS ZenFone AR and the Nubia Z17 to supply an 8GB RAM variant. The cellphone encompasses a 5.5-inch 1080p Optic AMOLED display screen with a spread of DCI-P3 colours to make sure colour accuracy and, is obtainable in two completely different variations – one with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage, and one other, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of native storage.
Just like the Galaxy Be aware 8, the OnePlus 5 additionally sports activities a rear-facing dual-camera module and helps Bluetooth 5.0, however in contrast to Samsung’s newest, it nonetheless runs on Android Nougat, with the Oreo replace unlikely to rolled out earlier than the tip of this yr. Having stated that, if you happen to’re trying to get the largest bang on your buck, you are able to do rather a lot worse than the OnePlus 5. Certain, it received’t provide the tremendous hi-res Infinity Show, the iris scanner, the facial recognition, the DeX Dock, the S-Pen or any of the opposite bells and whistles that the Be aware 8 brings to the desk, however you’ll get to save lots of virtually $450 with out compromising an incredible deal on uncooked efficiency.
Purchase From Amazon: ($504.10)
5. LG G6: Finest Smartphone with 2:1 Show
The LG G6 is a perfectly-designed premium smartphone that ticks all of the packing containers when it comes to aesthetics, construct high quality and efficiency, however what actually makes it extraordinarily profitable is the price-tag that’s considerably decrease than most of its rivals available in the market at this time. Certain, the system doesn’t actually include all of the leading edge {hardware} that the Galaxy Be aware 8 is providing, but when it’s a premium smartphone with a gorgeous 2:1 hi-res show that you just’re after, that is the one it is advisable critically think about. The LG G6 encompasses a 5.7-inch IPS LCD QHD+ (2880 x 1440) show and, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC. It additionally comes with 4GB of DDR4 RAM and as much as 128GB of inner storage that’s expandable through a microSD card of as much as 2TB in capability.
Identical to the Galaxy Be aware 8, the LG G6 additionally ships with a rear-facing dual-camera setup that includes twin 13-megapixel sensors together with one which’s paired with a wide-angle 125-degree lens. The system can be one of many few smartphones aside from the first-generation Pixel gadgets to ship with Google Assistant out-of-the-box. Whereas all of that makes the LG G6 an incredible Galaxy Be aware 8 different with an inexpensive price-tag, the one factor that it is advisable bear in mind is that we’re very near the launch of the corporate’s next-gen V-series handset, the V30, and since that one’s rumored to ship with newer, extra highly effective {hardware}, it’s going to most likely be for the most effective if you happen to had been to attend out a number of weeks in case you’re trying to purchase a premium LG system this yr.
Purchase From Amazon: ($509)
6. Huawei Mate 9 Professional: Finest Twin-Cam Smartphone
Huawei is the world’s largest Android vendor, admittedly on the sheer energy of its market-share in China, however the firm does make some fairly compelling gadgets, just like the Mate 9 Professional, which generally is a actually compelling different to the Galaxy Be aware 8, all issues thought-about. Certain, we may have really helpful the unique Mate 9 (with out the ‘Professional’ moniker) with an enormous 5.9” display screen, however this one’s by far the higher system, regardless that it comes with a extra customary 5.5” show. To your cash, you get a smartphone powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 960 chipset that’s designed and developed in-house by the Chinese language telecom large. You additionally get both 4GB or 6GB RAM alongside 64GB or 128GB storage relying on the mannequin.
Just like the Galaxy Be aware 8, the Huawei Mate 9 Professional additionally ships with a dual-camera module on the again. However in contrast to the Samsung phablet, the twin-cam setup on the Huawei flagship was developed in affiliation with German optics main, Leica, as a part of a partnership that was introduced final yr. Whereas one of many two digital camera sensors is a 12-megapixel RGB snapper, the opposite one, curiously, is a 20-megapixel monochrome one. Whereas the digital camera is, no doubt, top-of-the-line options of the Mate 9 Professional, the system additionally has one other trick up its sleeve. It’s really the affordably-priced model of the limited-edition Porsche-designed Mate 9 mannequin that was introduced final yr with an insane price-tag. So with the Mate 9 professional, you really get a designer smartphone for all sensible functions, with out having to pay a designer worth for it.
Purchase From Amazon: ($651)
7. Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Finest Designed Smartphone
The Xperia XZ Premium is Sony’s newest flagship smartphone that was initially unveiled on the MWC commerce present in Barcelona earlier this yr. The cellphone encompasses a 5.46-inch IPS LCD Triluminous show with 4K pixel decision (3840 x 2160) and, is powered by the Snapdragon 835 SoC. Just like the Galaxy Be aware 8, the Xperia XZ Premium comes with premium construct and premium {hardware}, and regardless that it doesn’t have twin cameras on the again in contrast to the newest Samsung phablet, its 19-megapixel sensor can really document 720p extremely slow-mo movies at 960fps, though you’ll be able to solely document for about 0.15 seconds of video on this mode. The Xperia XZ Premium is powered by the Snapdragon 835 like most high-end smartphones this yr and, has 4GB of RAM plus 64GB of inner storage. Whereas it ships with Android 7.1 Nougat out-of-the-box, it’s anticipated to obtain Android 8.0 Oreo going ahead.
Whereas the Sony Xperia XZ Premium is a superb Galaxy Be aware 8 different, consumers within the U.S. will do effectively to do not forget that the U.S. model of the system doesn’t ship with a fingerprint scanner. Sony hasn’t but given a transparent and unambiguous reply as to why that must be the case, though, speculations within the media appear to level the finger at authorized contracts signed with U.S. carriers a number of years again. Nevertheless, the excellent news is that the fingerprint scanner is obtainable on all worldwide (non-US) variations of the Xperia XZ Premium, so it’s not like Sony fully ignored the sensor whereas designing the handset.
Purchase From Amazon: ($624.50)
8. Important Telephone: Finest Bezel-less Telephone
Final however positively not the least, we’ve got the Important Telephone that’s the brainchild of Android co-founder, Andy Rubin. The system was formally introduced again in Could, however went on pre-order solely lately after many a delay and postponement for causes not but publicly disclosed. The system has a titanium and ceramic chassis and, encompasses a 5.71” LTPS IPS LCD show with an uncommon 19:10 side ratio and 2560 x 1312 pixel decision. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 835, and comes with 4GB of RAM + 128GB of storage. Just like the Galaxy Be aware 8, the Important cellphone additionally encompasses a dual-camera setup on the again, though, this one has twin 13-megapixel shooters as a substitute of the twin 12-megapixel sensors discovered on the Samsung flagship. The system additionally runs pure Android with none modifications, which is in direct distinction with the highly-modified UI the Galaxy Be aware 8 will likely be transport with.
Whereas the {hardware} on the Important Telephone is lots good, what actually separates this system from the herd of premium Android smartphones is its modularity. What it means is that customers will be capable to add new capabilities to the system by including third-party modules, considerably just like the now-defunct Venture Ara. One other piece of knowledge that has created quite a lot of curiosity among the many fanatic group is the announcement that the Important Telephone may have an unlocked bootloader, which is able to mainly permit customers to flash customized ROMs, kernels, recoveries and so forth.with out having to undergo the ring. It stays to be seen if the corporate releases the kernel supply in a well timed method, as a result of with out it, an unlocked bootloader actually received’t be of a lot use. All stated and achieved, the Important Telephone feels like a extremely fascinating choice for superior customers, and so so long as Important releases all of the Apache-licensed sources and the binary blobs for its proprietary elements, this might be the perfect Galaxy Be aware 8 different you should buy this yr.
Purchase From Amazon: ($699)
SEE ALSO: 10 Finest Bezel-less Smartphones You Can Purchase
The Finest Galaxy Be aware 8 Alternate options You Can Purchase
Whereas Galaxy Be aware 8 is undoubtedly going to dominate the headlines over the following few days, you don’t essentially have to spend that a lot cash to get a premium, high-performance handset. Any of the aforementioned Galaxy Be aware 8 options will carry out nearly in addition to the the Samsung flagship and can prevent some a bit of cash on the similar time. Whereas not all of them are in the identical league because the Galaxy Be aware 8, most of them may have higher price-performance ratios. So, which is your alternative because the Galaxy S8 different from the listing above? Or did you’ve one thing else in thoughts that we missed? Do depart your ideas within the feedback part under.
