The Samsung Galaxy A8 has made waves in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a compelling mix of premium design, impressive camera capabilities, and solid performance. As a tech enthusiast, I've had the opportunity to thoroughly test this device, and I'm excited to share my in-depth analysis of its features, performance, and overall value proposition.
Design and Build Quality: A Premium Feel in the Mid-Range
Samsung has truly outdone itself with the Galaxy A8's design. At just 5.9mm thick, it holds the title of the slimmest Samsung phone to date. This svelte profile is even more impressive when you consider that it houses a large 5.7-inch display in a surprisingly lightweight 151g body. The premium metal build with elegant curved edges gives the A8 a flagship-like feel that's rare in its price range.
The attention to detail in the A8's construction is evident, with precisely machined speaker grilles and smoothly integrated antenna lines. Available in attractive color options like Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, and Gold Sand, the A8 is sure to turn heads. However, it's worth noting that the smooth back can be somewhat slippery, so users may want to consider a case for added grip.
One minor ergonomic issue is the placement of the volume and power buttons near the top of the device, which can make one-handed use challenging for those with smaller hands. Despite this, the overall design of the A8 is a testament to Samsung's commitment to bringing premium aesthetics to the mid-range market.
Display: AMOLED Excellence
The Galaxy A8's display is undoubtedly one of its strongest selling points. The 5.7-inch Super AMOLED panel delivers the vibrant colors and deep blacks that Samsung's displays are known for. With a resolution of 1080 x 2220 pixels and a pixel density of about 441 ppi, the screen offers crisp and clear visuals that hold up well even under close inspection.
Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, the display is built to withstand everyday wear and tear. In my testing, I found the viewing angles to be excellent, with minimal color shift even at extreme angles. Outdoor visibility is also impressive, thanks to the AMOLED technology's ability to produce high contrast ratios.
For multimedia enthusiasts, the A8's display is a treat. Whether you're streaming HDR content on Netflix or enjoying graphically intensive games, the screen's color reproduction and brightness levels enhance the overall experience. The Always-On Display feature, borrowed from Samsung's flagship devices, adds convenience by showing time, date, and notifications without waking the device.
Performance: Capable Mid-Range Power
Under the hood, the Galaxy A8 is powered by Samsung's own Exynos 7885 octa-core processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD). This hardware configuration places the A8 firmly in the mid-range category, offering a balance between performance and power efficiency.
In day-to-day use, the A8 handles tasks with aplomb. The device runs on Android 7.1.1 Nougat with Samsung's TouchWiz UI overlay, which has been significantly optimized compared to earlier versions. App launches are quick, and multitasking is smooth, with minimal lag even when juggling multiple applications.
For the tech-savvy user, it's worth noting that the Exynos 7885 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture, with two high-performance Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and six energy-efficient Cortex-A53 cores at 1.6 GHz. This configuration allows for efficient power management during less demanding tasks while providing the necessary horsepower for more intensive applications.
Gaming performance on the A8 is respectable, if not groundbreaking. Less demanding titles run flawlessly, while more graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 are playable at medium settings. During extended gaming sessions, I did notice some frame drops and slight warming of the device, but nothing that significantly detracted from the experience.
Camera Capabilities: Punching Above Its Weight
The camera system on the Galaxy A8 is where this mid-ranger truly shines. The rear camera features a 16MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and LED flash. This setup is capable of capturing impressive shots in various lighting conditions.
In well-lit environments, the A8 produces photos with excellent detail, accurate colors, and good dynamic range. The wide aperture allows for pleasing bokeh effects in close-up shots, even without a dedicated portrait mode. Low-light performance is surprisingly good for a mid-range device, thanks to the large aperture and Samsung's advanced image processing algorithms.
The front-facing camera setup is particularly noteworthy, featuring dual 16MP + 8MP sensors with f/1.9 aperture. This configuration allows for Live Focus selfies, enabling adjustable background blur similar to what's found on higher-end devices. The quality of selfies is impressive, with good detail and natural-looking skin tones.
Video capabilities are solid, with the A8 able to record 1080p footage at 30fps. While it lacks 4K recording, the electronic image stabilization does a commendable job of smoothing out handheld shots.
Battery Life and Additional Features
The Galaxy A8 is equipped with a 3000mAh battery, which might seem modest given the large display. However, thanks to the efficient processor and optimized software, battery life is surprisingly good. In my testing, I consistently achieved 5-6 hours of screen-on time with mixed usage, easily lasting a full day on a single charge.
The inclusion of fast charging support (15W) is a welcome feature, allowing the device to charge from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. While wireless charging is absent, it's not a feature commonly found in this price range.
Other notable features include a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which I found to be fast and reliable, and IP68 water and dust resistance – a rarity in mid-range smartphones. The device also supports Samsung Pay, adding convenience for users in supported regions.
Conclusion: A Compelling Mid-Range Option
The Samsung Galaxy A8 successfully bridges the gap between mid-range pricing and near-flagship features. Its premium design, excellent display, capable cameras, and solid performance make it a strong contender in its price bracket.
While it may not offer the raw processing power of some competitors, the A8's well-rounded package will satisfy the needs of most users. For those who prioritize design, camera quality, and a refined user experience over benchmark scores, the Galaxy A8 represents excellent value.
As smartphones continue to evolve, devices like the A8 demonstrate that the lines between mid-range and flagship are becoming increasingly blurred. Samsung has leveraged its expertise in display technology, camera systems, and industrial design to create a device that punches above its weight class in many respects.
In the ever-competitive mid-range smartphone market, the Galaxy A8 stands out as a device that doesn't just make do with compromises, but rather excels in key areas that matter to everyday users. It's a testament to Samsung's ability to distill flagship features into a more accessible package, and a promising sign for the future of mid-range smartphones.
