Samsung has officially announced its new Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ (2018), boasting a neat design, powerful specs, and dual selfie cameras.
Recent rumors had indicated that Samsung would unveil its new Galaxy A series smartphones at CES 2018 in January, but it looks like the company didn't want to wait until then.
The 2018 Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ share many specifications and the same design, albeit the larger model is a bit more powerful. That's hardly surprising, however, as "Plus" versions of smartphones usually pack some extra oomph.
Samsung Galaxy A8 And Galaxy A8+ (2018) Specs
Both smartphones boast a sleek design with Samsung's Infinity Display, which means impressively thin bezels, a high screen-to-body ratio, and an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. They're also the first Samsung smartphones to rock dual front cameras, combining a 16-megapixel camera with an 8-megapixel one to take selfies to the next level. On the back, the handsets feature a single 16-megapixel camera with a f/1.7 aperture.
Under the hood, Samsung packed an octa-core processor but has yet to specify whether it's a Snapdragon CPU from Qualcomm or an in-house Exynos chipset. Both smartphones feature Infinity Displays with full HD+ resolution of 2,220 x 1,080 pixels, but they differ in size. The Galaxy A8 has a 5.6-inch screen, while the larger Galaxy A8+ model comes with a 6-inch display.
The two handsets are also different in terms of RAM and battery. The Galaxy A8 comes with 4 GB of RAM and a 3,000 mAh battery, while the Galaxy A8+ has 4 GB or 6 GB of RAM and a 3,500 mAh battery. Both handsets come with 32 GB or 64 GB of native storage space, expandable via microSD.
Other specs and features include NFC, IP68 certification for dust and water resistance, USB Type-C, and Android 7.1.1 Nougat on board out of the box. The handsets will come in gold, black, Orchid Gray, and blue color options.
Premium Features In A More Affordable Package
"With the release of the Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018), we're bringing our customers' favorite features from our flagship smartphones, such as the Infinity Display and our first Dual Front Camera with Live Focus, to our Galaxy A series, which is already known for its premium design," says Junho Park Samsung Electronics' VP of Product Planning, Mobile Communications Business. "The Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018) exemplify our continued dedication to meeting the needs of our consumers by providing them with greater choice and convenience."
The new Samsung Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ will hit the market in early January 2018, but the company has yet to announce pricing details or a specific release date. Additional details should become available shortly.