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Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
...


7.5/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) currently has an Informr score of 7.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 13 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

If design and screen quality are important, the Samsung Galaxy A8 Plus leads the mid-tier market. But at the price, the Honor V10 and OnePlus 5T offer better performance and better cameras at a similar price.

What's good

  • Sleek, attractive design
  • Great AMOLED panel
  • Plenty of storage space
  • Dual SIM support
  • microSD support
  • Adaptive fast charging

What's bad

  • So-so performance
  • Poor low-light camera performance
  • Bloated UI
  • Outdated Android software
  • Awkward fingerprint scanner

While known for their flagship devices, Samsung also has a mid-tier lineup -- though it sits far behind their well-known Galaxy S series in terms of design and features. With the Galaxy A8 Plus, Samsung is redesigning their mid-tier model to compete in a growing -- and highly competitive -- market. 

The phone features a metal and glass design with Samsung’s typical sleek lines and minimalist accents. The phone is also IP68 water resistant and can survive submersion for up to 30 minutes at 1.5 meters (approx. 5 feet). 

While the phone is trim, some reviewers found it a bit heavy. It’s large and not a good fit for slim pockets or small hands. 

The rear cover also includes the camera with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner just below it. While reviewers loved the lack of camera bump, they found the placement of the fingerprint scanner frustrating. Instead of resting their finger on the scanner, they rested it on the camera, creating smudges when it was time to take pictures.

The real design updates take place around front. The phone includes a 6-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display featuring Samsung’s “Infinity” screen. This means you’ll find curved glass to the edges of the phone. But don’t expect quite the level of polish they’ve applied to their newest flagships. 

Reviewers found the sides of the glass were not as smooth as on pricier releases and the bezels -- both on the sides and ends of the phone -- more substantial. Still, they agreed it looks great and more upscale than most similarly priced competitors.

As expected of Samsung, the screen features inky blacks, punchy colors, and excellent detail. Many reviewers considered the display one of the strongest aspects of the phone.

Processing power is where the phone’s mid-tier designation shows. While the octa-core 2.2Ghz Exynos 7885 processor is no slouch, it’s well behind the flagship options out there. Paired with 4GB to 6GB of RAM depending on the variant you choose, it offers plenty of power for daily use and the average app or media streaming. But it struggles with newer games at high settings. Reviewers had little trouble with stuttering or hanging. However, they recommend going for the 6GB model for added future proofing.

Depending on the variant you choose, you’ll also find 32 to 64GB of internal storage. If you need more room, the phone supports microSD cards up to 256GB. The dual-SIM variant also allows you to insert two SIMs and a microSD card -- a rarity in dual SIM phones.

The software was one of the biggest complaints about the phone. First off, it runs Android 7.1.1. As Android P (9.0) is on the horizon, most reviewers found this unacceptable. Then there’s the Samsung Experience skin. It features a ton of pre-installed apps and UI changes that most reviewers felt were more of a hindrance than a bonus. 

Opinions pick back up when it comes to the camera. The single-lens rear 16MP camera with phase detection autofocus performs well in good lighting. In low-light, unfortunately, it struggles, producing blurry, noisy images. 

However, the front-facing dual-lens 16MP selfie shooter with an 8MP secondary lens impressed most reviewers. The portrait and wide-angle modes work great and the phone captures great video for chatting and social media use. 

There is one puzzling limitation though -- the phone will only record video at 1080p and 30 frames per second. With most mid-tier phones recording 4k video at 30 frames per second and 1080p at 60 frames per second, this is an undeniable shortcoming.

When it comes to battery life, the 3500mAh cell Samsung used appears to be just enough for a solid day of use. You’ll likely end the day with power to spare -- but this isn’t a two-day phone with a single charge. If you find yourself short on charge, the USB Type-C charger included uses  Samsung’s adaptive fast charging. That means you can top off from 10% battery in just under one hour.

The phone is a solid option, but it faces stiff competition. And, for that reason, reviewers were hesitant to recommend. Ultimately, it has one of the best designs and displays in the mid-tier market. But if you’re looking for performance and a great camera, most recommend the Honor V10 and OnePlus 5T instead. 

TechRadar says “[The phone] doesn't target enthusiasts and it doesn't make many bold claims. It's a phone meant for people who want Samsung's brand name and can't afford its flagships.” Gadget 360 is less optimistic, saying, “... the Galaxy A8+ (2018) definitely can't compete on specifications and cost.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.2 GHz
6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6"
16+ MP, f/1.7
Camera
Camera
16+ MP, f/1.7
3500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

There's no reason for it to have waited this long to release an updated premium-tier model, and the Galaxy A8+ (2018) is in a bit of an awkward position. It isn't very convincing when seen next to the OnePlus 5T and Honor View 10, especially because of the features and capabilities that Samsung stil...

- Jamshed Avari, Gadgets 360
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

You get what you pay for with the A8+: a solid mid-range Samsung Android phone. If you value a the beautiful AMOLED display and don’t care too much about updates, this would be a good option.

- Victor Hristov, PhoneArena
Gadgetbyte
Gadgetbyte

For those, looking for a premium build, sharp display, day-long battery life and good enough performance then this phone will be worth your money. But if you are asking for gaming performance and other high end stuffs with your cash then you have to look at other alternatives.

- Yankee Maharjan, Gadgetbyte
Fone Arena
Fone Arena

It has a large Infinity screen, good selfie camera, water-resistant-body, and the battery life is good has well, but the internals and the average rear camera quality, especially in low-light doesn’t justify the high price tag.

- Srivatsan Sridhar, Fone Arena
Deccan Chronicle
Deccan Chronicle

The Galaxy A8+ is a phone that ensures that expensive smartphones should look ahead of hardcore performance.

- Amritanshu Mukherjee, Deccan Chronicle


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions



Samsung backs up the Galaxy A8+ (2018) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Galaxy A8+ (2018) has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
6"

The Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)'s screen size is 6 inches with 1080 x 2200 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.2 GHz

There is a Samsung Exynos 7885 Octa core 2.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 7.1.1 Nougat (Update Available: 8.0 Oreo) operating system (OS).

Camera
16+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 16+ MP, f/1.7 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 16+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
32/64 GB

Internal memory is 32/64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 256 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3500 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 1380 minutes, 900 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy A8+ (2018) Specs

Overview
Release Date January 6, 2018
Regions Available USA, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 7.1.1 Nougat (Update Available: 8.0 Oreo)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Samsung Exynos 7885 Octa core 2.2 GHz
Internal Storage 32/64 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.20 W/kg
Body: 0.75 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Headphones, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 256 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
16+ Megapixels, f/1.7
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, ISO, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, White balance, Stickers, HDR, Exposure, Voice activation
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
16+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Dual front camera feature (8 MP 2nd camera, f/1.7)
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology Super AMOLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 2200 pixels
Pixel Density 411 pixels
Size 6 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3500 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 1140 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 900 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 840 minutes
Talk Time Up to 1380 minutes
Standby Time Up to 4.875 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Black, Orchid Gray, Gold, Blue
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.99 x 7.57 x 0.83 cm (6.3 x 3 x 0.3 in)
Weight 191 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 68
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Samsung Galaxy A8 Plus (2018), A730F

Also available in dual-SIM variant.

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
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