The Galaxy S8’s Ugly Sister – But I’m into her… S8 Active Review
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Description
dbrand sponsor link: dbrand.com With many of the Active lineup's features going to the regular Galaxy S8, is Samsung's S8 Active worth looking at?
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The Galaxy S8 Active review begins by recalling the Galaxy S6 Active and how the Active line has evolved, noting early tradeoffs like the lack of a fingerprint sensor and the shift toward IP68 water resistance that changed the active equation. The narrator emphasizes that the S8 Active is packed with flagship hardware including an octa-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage with microSD expansion, and a rugged MIL-STD 810G enclosure that provides dust, shock, and temperature resistance. A focal point is the display, which uses a bright, accurate 5.8 inch AMOLED panel with a unique 18.5:9 aspect ratio and on-screen navigation buttons, discussed alongside tradeoffs such as the absence of hardware home keys and a bottom-firing speaker. The video analyzes the screen durability concerns tied to Gorilla Glass 5 and a shatter-resistant coating, noting micro-scratches in practical use and musing about batch-to-batch variation among OEMs. Battery life is highlighted as a standout feature, with the reviewer reporting two days of typical use for many users thanks to a large 4,000 mAh cell and power-saving features in Android 7 Nougat, though real-world endurance depends on GPS and hotspot activity. Additional highlights include the left-side programmable button (later revealed to be a Bixby button in Samsung’s lineup), the camera setup with a 12 MP rear sensor and 4K video, and a front-facing iris scanner that the reviewer prefers less than the fingerprint reader. The review mentions some software quirks and instability in Samsung Experience, including periodic reboots and touchscreen unresponsiveness, and the need for updates to improve reliability. Finally, the sponsor segment for Dbrand skins is discussed as a cosmetic enhancement that showcases diverse vinyl skins, while the host invites viewers to explore the skins and related accessories, emphasizing the show’s mix of hardware analysis and sponsorship integration.
Topics · technology · smartphones · product-review · durability · battery-life · display · camera · software
Questions answered
- What design compromises does the Galaxy S8 Active have compared to the S8?
- The S8 Active maintains flagship internals but uses a rugged MIL-STD 810G enclosure and a large 4,000 mAh battery, sacrificing some design elements like bezel-free curves and possibly requiring on-screen navigation due to the lack of hardware home keys.
- Does the S8 Active include IP68 water and dust resistance?
- According to the review discussion, IP68 water resistance is a point of contention for this active line, with the implication that the S8 Active does not retain the same IP68 selling point that its predecessors had.
- What are the key camera capabilities of the S8 Active?
- The phone sports a rear 12 MP camera capable of 4K video at 30 fps and a front-facing camera with iris scan, with the reviewer noting strong performance in typical lighting and emphasis on a good front camera experience.