A gorgeous phone pegged to tempt cash-conscious consumers
By Brian N. Yalung
Each time Samsung comes up, most would immediately think of the S-series. The only problem there is the price range, something that would immediately douse the hopes of folks who aspire to get hold of those high-end devices.
There are other options for Samsung loyalists who want to get a decent Android-powered device in the market. The J-Series is an option although the A-Series has been slowly gaining ground. The Samsung Galaxy A8+ is the latest from the Korean company, a mobile phone categorized in the mid-tier niche though initial impressions may throw most off.
Affordable and promising mid-range device
There are a lot of smartphones in the market that have been trying to fill in the demands of the mid-range segment. Rival and rising brands have thrown their hat into the mix with established brands like Samsung beyond reach. And even if there was a model in the price range, features fall short of expectations.
The Samsung Galaxy A8+ hopes to address that concern. A first glimpse of the device would initially place it along the ranks of expensive mobile phones in the market. However, the device is positioned at the mid-tier level and carries most of the advanced features people look for to date.
On the outside, folks may see something familiar with the device adopting similar designs to the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. The premium design of the Samsung Galaxy A8+ includes a 6.0-inch full HD (2220x1080) Super AMOLED Infinity display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio that is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.
The device is pretty convenient to hold, thanks to the outer shell. It sports a front and back glass aluminum frame, IP68 certified and has lesser bezels – meaning no physical home button. A fingerprint sensor is also present, located at the rear of the device.
Other notable features on the outside of the A8+ include a 3.5 mm audio jack, USB Type-C charging port, and microphone located at the bottom of the device.
Overpowering features and specs
The external make of the Samsung Galaxy A8+ sets up the curious features from within. With a gorgeous looking smartphone, would it have the power to fulfill the expectations of users, particularly the power-hungry?
Considering it comes armed with a 64-bit Octa-Core Exynos Processor (2 x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 and 6 1.6 GHz Cortex A53) backed by 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage (expandable up to 256 GB via microSD via the slot located at the top of the device), this is a device that should overwhelm.
From the specs alone, this device should be sufficient for media-crazed individuals who are into gaming and watching videos that require heavy power backing. The device comes with Android 7.1.1 Nougat and relies on a non-removable Li-Ion 3,500 mAh battery. It also comes with Samsung’s AI-based intelligent assistant, Bixby though the dedicated button and voice functionality was not included.
Don’t forget the cameras
One of the key features most people are interested in would be the built-in cameras. Most phones have focused on higher resolution snappers and Samsung is fully aware of such.
For the Samsung Galaxy A8+, potential owners get a 16 MP main camera (aperture f/1.7) that takes decent shots during the day and even in low-light conditions.
The front cameras should tickle the curiosity of most - a 16 MP + 8 MP Dual Front snappers. The 16 MP is a primary sensor that can capture photos and videos while the other 8 MP acts more of a depth sensor adds a dash of DSLR finesse for people who love taking selfies.
Placed in the mid-range niche, the Samsung Galaxy A8+ offers most of the striking features that can draw in folks looking for a reasonable and reliable mid-range device. With a classy design mixed with sane features, the Galaxy A8+ aims to give mid-tier brands some healthy competition.