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Having held off so far on getting a Galaxy S8 to look at its competitors (HTC U11, upcoming Pixel, Essential, etc.), the S8 still seems to blow them all away as

Having held off so far on getting a Galaxy S8 to look at its competitors (HTC U11, upcoming Pixel, Essential, etc.), the S8 still seems to blow them all away as far as what I want, namely: - bezel-free screen - headphone jack - SD slot The only thing keeping me from buying it right now is Samsung's history of slow updates. Which makes me think what we really, really need is to bring back the Google Play Edition devices. Looking back on it, they absolutely nailed what the smartphones should be: flagship devices, stock Android, guaranteed updates free from carrier holds. The problem was they cost the full price of the phone at a time when most people were still paying $200 upfront for subsidized phones--so the perception was that the cost was higher. Now that the full price of the phone is advertised upfront, I think we're due for a refresh of the GPE line-up.

fumar 9y ago
Do want to add that the S8 has wireless charging. I had a Nexus 6 and a Note 5, both with wireless charging - I can't go back. It is one those changes that impacts how I use the phone. I never need to plug into anything.
- valuearb 9y ago
  But you have to charge it in a special spot, while a regular phone can be plugged in anywhere to charge. I still don't get the wireless charging benefit, and I have an apple watch.
  - ulber 9y ago
    Wirelessly chargeable phones can typically be charged normally. What it buys you is convenience in that special place or two where you always charge your phone (bedside, work desk, etc.). I really liked it when I did have it and wish Apple offered it too.
    - valuearb 9y ago
      That's a good point that I didn't consider.
enobrev 9y ago
I really appreciate the S8. Also, Samsung has some sort of trade-in deal going for $150 off the price of the phone†, which is what convinced me to grab it. I'll offer a warning I wish I'd received a week ago. I've had mine for a week, and the shortest of drops (about a foot) resulted in a badly cracked screen. This is after two years with an S6 with hardly a scratch. I've read that it's one of the most fragile phones on the market[1], which doesn't make me feel any better, but does make me wish I didn't switch until I got my screen protector the next day. Due to the shape and how new the screen is, I'm likely to have to pay about half the discounted price of the phone to get it fixed. Otherwise, it's an excellent phone and a fantastic upgrade from the S6. Just make sure you get a screen protector. 1: http://www.techradar.com/news/hold-the-phone-samsung-galaxy-s8-dubbed-most-fragile-handset-ever http://www.techradar.com/news/hold-the-phone-samsung-galaxy-... † I have absolutely nothing to do with Samsung or any phone company.
jhasse 9y ago
What about the LG G6? It marks your three points.
- Markoff 9y ago
  one year old SoC bootloop reputation

fumar 9y ago

Do want to add that the S8 has wireless charging. I had a Nexus 6 and a Note 5, both with wireless charging - I can't go back. It is one those changes that impacts how I use the phone. I never need to plug into anything.

valuearb 9y ago
But you have to charge it in a special spot, while a regular phone can be plugged in anywhere to charge. I still don't get the wireless charging benefit, and I have an apple watch.
- ulber 9y ago
  Wirelessly chargeable phones can typically be charged normally. What it buys you is convenience in that special place or two where you always charge your phone (bedside, work desk, etc.). I really liked it when I did have it and wish Apple offered it too.
  - valuearb 9y ago
    That's a good point that I didn't consider.

enobrev 9y ago

I really appreciate the S8. Also, Samsung has some sort of trade-in deal going for $150 off the price of the phone†, which is what convinced me to grab it. I'll offer a warning I wish I'd received a week ago. I've had mine for a week, and the shortest of drops (about a foot) resulted in a badly cracked screen. This is after two years with an S6 with hardly a scratch. I've read that it's one of the most fragile phones on the market[1], which doesn't make me feel any better, but does make me wish I didn't switch until I got my screen protector the next day. Due to the shape and how new the screen is, I'm likely to have to pay about half the discounted price of the phone to get it fixed. Otherwise, it's an excellent phone and a fantastic upgrade from the S6. Just make sure you get a screen protector. 1: http://www.techradar.com/news/hold-the-phone-samsung-galaxy-s8-dubbed-most-fragile-handset-ever http://www.techradar.com/news/hold-the-phone-samsung-galaxy-... † I have absolutely nothing to do with Samsung or any phone company.

jhasse 9y ago

What about the LG G6? It marks your three points.

Markoff 9y ago
one year old SoC bootloop reputation