SamsungSmartphone Galaxy S8 64GB UK Version - Midnight Black

It goes without saying that the gap between phones is getting smaller and smaller. Years ago, phones would either dominate the market, or just simply be forever in the "cheap and acceptable" area for performance and quality etc.I used to work for Vodafone, so got a lot of experience working with mobile phones and I have to be honest, I used to absolutely hate Samsung phones. However, that has all changed. This genuinely has completely changed my perspective on their handsets and I am sincerely impressed with what I have purchased. I have had several phones, including Sony Xperia z2, Xperia z5, Huawei p9, OnePlus 3T and recently I had a OnePlus 5 which I returned as faulty and instead for this Samsung S8. Allow me to break it down below into a few areas to give you a little insight with it.Speed and performance:I have to be honest, the performance on this handset is flawless. It is super quick, responsive and hasn't yet lagged at all or dipped in performance in the slightest. I can open the camera quickly (something that other phones struggle with if you're coming from an app), can take a photo and then go back to the app that I was in without any issues at all. Easily on par with the OnePlus handsets if I am honest.Battery:This is my only negative. I have the s8 meaning I have the 3000mah battery within the handset. I am pretty heavy on my phone, and forever checking emails and texting my girlfriend (gotta make her feel loved like haha) so always using it. After starting work at around 9am and finishing at 5, I am usually down to around 20% if I am in Quad HD Mode. I can put the resolution down to 1080p and will then with the same usage, be down to around 38% roughly on average, so it does make a difference. I don't find that things such as the camera have such a hard effect on the battery, unless you're filming in 4k, then you start to notice a metaphorical leak so to speak.Screen:My goodness... this is my favourite part. I always thought this bezeless, or at least small bezel thing was a bit of a gimmick, but oh no. I could never go back to a phone that doesn't have this kind of display ever again. This handset, is smaller than other smart phones, but has a bigger screen. Weird, huh? Well, because the screen practically covers the entire phone size, you get a beautiful view and great clarity that is simply gorgeous. I mentioned previously about Quad HD, which in my opinion is of equal sharpness to retina if I am honest. It does dip into the battery life, though, and to be honest, for normal viewing angles you will find 1080p perfect. 2k would be good for the VR experience. Honestly though, the screen is beautiful, I am being very serious when I say that this is the most beautiful screen I have seen on a phone before, and it has completely changed my opinion on how phones should be designed from now on.Camera:The camera is good. It offers good colour reproduction and produces sharp images. I am led to believe they have used the Samsung s7 camera in this. It has OIS, which is nice and definitely makes a difference. I find the video modes are good, and there are modes such as Pro Modes meaning you can take control of various controls on your camera. It's a shame that there isn't a dual camera setup, considering that a lot of phones are going that way, but let's be honest, if you're truly wanting to get into photography, then you're going to get yourself a DSLR. This phones camera performs excellently taking nice images and will suit the needs of the majority if not all of the people that use it. Video low light performance is a little bit average, but in well lit environments the colours are beautiful and are exceptionally well complemented by the gorgeous display.Bixby:Have to be honest, I don't like Bixby. Samsung have incorporated a physical button on the left hand side of the phone. I downloaded an app and disabled bixby in the system, so I don't have to content with that anymore. I would appreciate an update from Samsung allowing users to modify the rooting of that button, to complement their own wishes such as Google Now, or flashlight etc. Google Assistant is moving far faster, evolving in a much more advanced method, and works flawlessly 99% of the time. I had to repeat 3 times to Bixby to get the weather in Birmingham in the UK. Despite constantly saying "What's the weather like in Birmingham, UK?" it still kept referring to the sunny weather in Birmingham, Alabama... not the much wetter, much greyer weather here in the West Midlands.Overall:Look, this handset in my opinion is fantastic. Like I said, I used to hate Samsung and found their handsets overpriced and underspec. But I genuinely think this is a change. You can get a great deal and pay under the RRP if you look around well enough. The time researching for a better price is definitely worth it. The handset offers a beautiful, and I really do mean a beautiful design and great performance meeting many criterias and expectations. I love this phone. Honestly. I am usually so critical of phones and find it hard to settle with one, but so far, this handset is proving to be the best phone I have ever purchased. I would definitely recommend.One final note, the s8+? Yes, it has a bigger battery... but if you have an average sized hand (male), stick with the regular s8. Ladies, if you've got smaller hands, definitely stay with the S8... I am a man and use the normal one, because the plus size would require some serious hand gymnastics to reach the back button top left.If you found this useful, give me a helpful vote if you don't mind! Then I know that I have helped someone somewhere in the Amazon world.Take care

I was looking for my first Android phone after years using Windows phones (which I loved) and chose a Samsung S8.I wanted a new UK spec one at a good price but retaining genuine accessories and Samsung 2 year warranty. The user reviews were not supplier specific and many complained of poor substitutes, refurbished good phones but with limited warranties etc. so it was hard to choose a good supplier from the reviews.Before ordering I contacted a number of sellers asking specific questions to confirm the phone was New, Samsung warrantied, Unlocked, Had all UK accessories just to be sure. This also enabled me to identify which suppliers responded quickly and clearly. Some responses did not meet the requirements and some almost met it but had a continental charger with free adaptor.Finally I chose one supplied by G UK Trading Limited and have been very pleased with the product and service. The phone arrived earlier than advised, was well packed and was in manufacturers packaging correctly sealed.The phone which is the correct European model number was set for polish when switched on but easily changed to English in the first setup page and although the charger in the box was European there was included a new genuine Samsung fast charger in the delivery as advised. I guess these phones are cheaper in Poland and hence the good price.There are cheaper S8 options on Amazon but if a new unit from a good supplier are important then I would recommend this supplier.Moving to a new operating system is taking some getting used to but I am pleased with the S8 looks, performance, speed and wealth of available apps. There are hundreds of phone reviews available so I'm not going to repeat the information here but I wanted to hi-lite what has been important to me and that is feeling confident in the supplier.

Good points:- Properly waterproof (until the screen cracks)- Virtual reality (the Gear - an add-on - was not quite the stuff of sci-fi, but un-tethered and bloomin' good for a 'phone. Oculus/Meta no longer supports it though, so you're back to Google Cardboard. I used to get about 3 hours' VR out of a charge.)- Android- Some nice extras (fast processor, really nice screen, heart monitor, and the location uses at least 4 different satellite systems)- Screen still works when cracked, including touch.- Induction charging- Most spares are cheap and easy to get hold of, and there are plenty of Youtube demos showing how to replace them.Bad points, in order:- Curved screen. The most fragile part of the device sticks out beyond the rest, what could possibly go wrong?- Curved screen. Worth mentioning twice because it makes it hard to hold the device without touching the screen. Also significantly increases the cost of rigid screen protectors.- Expensive screen. Becomes a problem when it breaks.- Battery is on the small side for such a power-hungry device. Awkward to replace, too.- Samsung requires access to location information whenever location is turned on. It's in the terms and conditions, but they don't specify who they plan to tell when you go on holiday.- Mine refused to update for over a year (took a while to notice and a while to fix)- BixbyAll in, this is a really good portable computer, and a pretty good 'phone. If you plan to carry it around then you will need a good case for it, but there are some good ones on the market now. Probably not ideal for builders or wrestlers.