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It’s been almost 5 months since the Samsung Galaxy S8 first arrived on our desk and customers’ doorsteps. We, at Phandroid, have been hard at work bringing all the latest news, updates, helpful tips and tricks, and even concerns some of you have had with the phone, all in an effort to keep you well-informed and on top of everything Galaxy S8/S8+.
If your your eyes haven’t been glued to the internet this entire time, this post here will help catch you up to speed on all the recent developments regarding the phone and even provide you with helpful links to some of our featured articles, forum posts, and favorite accessories for the Galaxy S8. Take a look.
News
Samsung begins testing Android Oreo for the Galaxy S8
A new report suggests that Samsung has started working on the update to Android Oreo for the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. The report also includes build numbers, but there is no mention of when the update is coming. [Source]
Verizon Galaxy S8 gets ‘Faster face recognition’ update
One of the things we weren’t so crazy about when it came to the Galaxy S8 was its facial recognition. It’s a little too slow to use exclusively, but a new software update aims to change that with a new, slightly less secure option: faster facial recognition. [Source]
Unlocked Galaxy S8 Active w/ 4,000mAh battery gets WiFi certified
The unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 Active and its massive 4,000mAh battery just got WiFi certified and we can’t wait for it to arrive. [Source]
Galaxy S8 sales eclipse 20 million mark
Strategy Analytics reports that the Samsung Galaxy S8 duo has reached the 20 million milestone as of July 2017. [Source]
Full List of Bixby Voice Commands for Galaxy S8 & S8+
Bixby can do pretty much anything you can do. It can even go so far as to scroll up and down on web pages for you. The idea is for you to be completely hands-free. [Source]
Are you satisfied with your Samsung Galaxy S8? [POLL]
The Samsung Galaxy S8 has been on the scene for quite some time now. Now that the dust has settled, what are you feeling about your purchase? [Source]
Recap
65+ Samsung Galaxy S8 Tips and Tricks
After spending a good few weeks with the Samsung Galaxy S8, we’re compiling a huge list of our favorite tips and tricks. With over 65 tips, there’s something here for everybody.
Best Galaxy S8 cases, chargers, and accessories
So you have a Galaxy S8 and you’re ready to outfit it with some cool accessories. These are the very best accessories you can buy for the Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+.
Galaxy S8 Tips: How to prevent and reverse screen burn-in
May 2nd – Some people have noticed their Galaxy S8 is already suffering from light screen burn-in (including our own unit). I’ve put together the best tips you can use to prevent (or reverse) screen burn-in on your device.
The 10 best and worst things about the Galaxy S8
The Galaxy S8 is the hottest Android device available right now. A jack of all trades, there’s plenty to love about the phone, but also an equal numbers of things that really get under my skin. Here’s the top 10 best and worst things about the Galaxy S8 and S8+.
The evolution of the Galaxy S camera: S8 vs S7 vs S6 vs S5
The Galaxy S8 is going up against some tough competition this year but how does the camera perform against previous iterations of the device? The results may surprise you…
Camera Test: Galaxy S8 vs HTC U11 vs iPhone 7 vs Google Pixel
The HTC U11 is said to have one of the best cameras on the market. We decided to put that to the test, pitting the phone against the Samsung Galaxy S8, Google Pixel, and the iPhone 7.
Samsung Galaxy S8 review
As the biggest Android manufacturer in the world, Samsung typically doesn’t have much to worry about when it comes time to launch their new flagship. This year’s different. After the failed launch of the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung now has to convince the world they still have what it takes to build a quality smartphone.
Best of the Galaxy S8 forum
We’ve covered a lot of ground here, that’s not even the half of it. Sometimes the best way to learn more about your phone is by chatting it up with other owners. AndroidForums is the perfect place to get started on your new smartphone journey.
It’s there you’ll find plenty of help, tips, tricks, support, suggestions, and can share your insight with other users. You can share your experiences, find accessories, and much more. Here are some helpful threads to get you started:
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Galaxy S8 – How to use Bixby Vision
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Cracked Galaxy S8 Screen
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Galaxy S8 HDMI adapter
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Galaxy S8 – How to enable Live Photos (Motion Photo)
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Is the Galaxy S8 compatible with Quick Charge 2.0? 3.0?
Best Galaxy S8 apps/games
With so many apps and games available in the Google Play Store, it’s hard to know where to start. Our Download This series includes the best apps and games you should be downloading on your Galaxy S8 or S8+. You can find lists to some of our favorite apps/games down below.
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100 Best Android Apps
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Best Android Apps for learning languages
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Best Android apps for college students
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Best Android Games for Killing Time
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Most Addictive Android Games of 2016
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Reader-voted best apps
Best Galaxy S8 accessory deals
Best Micro SD card for the Galaxy S8
Just like with last year’s Galaxy S7, the Galaxy S8 too features a micro SD card slot. Located on the top of the device, it uses the same tray as the SIM card making it easy to locate.
You can expand your storage size on the Galaxy S8 by up to 2TB and avoid pricey cloud storage subscriptions. Here are a few good micro SD cards to try:
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SanDisk Ultra 200GB microSD with adapter
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Kingston 16GB microSD with adapter
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Samsung 32GB microSD with adapter
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SanDisk Ultra 64GB microSD with adapter
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SanDisk Ultra 128GB microSD with adapter
Best Galaxy S8 Case
For those needing a little added protection but not something that’s going to make your phone feel terribly bulky, it’s hard to go wrong with Spigen’s Liquid Air Armor. They’re TPU cases, so they’re tough, flexible, and provide enough protection that your phone should survive most accidental falls from about waist height. How?
Inside the Liquid Air Armor case there are small air pockets all around the interior. This ensures that the case has a little flex in specific high impact areas in the event of a drop. Don’t forget the cases look and feel great, so it’s really a win-win.
Need more options? Check out the full list here: Best Samsung Galaxy S8 cases
Best Budget Earbuds for the Galaxy S8
It’s impossible to talk about the best accessory deals for the Galaxy S8 without mentioning my favorite budget headphones. At around $9, Panasonic’s ErgoFit in-ear headphones offer a crazy value, delivering some of the best audio quality you can get for the money hands-down.
They’re so cheap you can use these as your disposable headphones, throw them in a bag, work out with them, abuse them, and if they die on you, simply pick up another pair. They come in 8 colors and sound leaps and bounds better than anything that came included with any of your devices, so give them a shot. You wont be sorry.
Best Wireless Headphones for the Galaxy S8
You don’t have to spend a fortune these days to get some good, quality headphones. Typically, you have to choose between wired or wireless headphones, with some of the higher end models offering both (Bluetooth when you have battery, wired they’re dead).
The good news is we found some extremely well-reviewed headphones from Mpow that are chock full of features. The Mpow Thor Bluetooth headphones feature dual 40mm large-aperture drivers, 8 hours of battery life, and the ability to plug a wired connection when the battery is exhausted. There’s a built-in microphone for taking calls, and the collapsible design allows them to fold up for easy portability.
At around $27, these are practically a steal. Find out what the hype is about by buying a pair for yourself below.
Best Galaxy S8 Wireless Charger for the Galaxy S8
The Galaxy S8 is one of the few Android devices equipped with fast wireless charging. That means it’s faster than most other wireless charging technologies, you just need the proper base to crank out enough power.
This model from Choetech features wireless fast charging and dual-coils to you can position your phone in either landscape or portrait mode. At around $17, it comes with a free micro USB cable but you’ll need to make sure you’re using at least a 2A wall charger (sold separately) to get the full fast charging benefits.
Best Portable Charger for the Galaxy S8
The Galaxy S8 doesn’t have the best battery life we’ve seen, whether you’re gaming, recording video of the kids in 4K, or actively browsing social media — all these things take a big toll on your battery. The easiest way to stay powered up on-the-go is by using a portable charger. This isn’t just a matter of convenience, it could save your life in an emergency situation.
Or favorite is this model from Anker. It crams 10,000mAh into a small, pocketable form factor allowing you to carry easily in a back pocket or purse. Just tether it to your device with a USB cable and you’re good to go. At $26, it’s one of the highest quality and most reliable portable chargers we’ve found online.
Looking ahead…
Galaxy S9 rumors
We’re a good 5 months into the Galaxy S8 and like clockwork, the rumor mill is already churning with early info on next year’s Samsung Galaxy S9. We don’t know know much, but there are whisperings about various details, including an earlier launch than usual to compete with the upcoming iPhone 8. Guess we’ll have to wait and see but in the meantime, check out the latest rumors down below.
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