Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) Series Launched in Malaysia, Retails From RM1799

http://lowy.at/W1taw
http://technave.com/gadget/Samsung-s-first...1799-11426.html
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/tech-gad...18-galaxy-a8-a8
http://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/gala...SM-A530FZVDXME/
https://www.soyacincau.com/2018/01/17/samsu...alaysia-launch/



Samsung has officially announced the arrival of the new Galaxy A8 (2018) in Malaysia. The Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) are the company’s new mid-range offerings, featuring IP68-rated bodies and a new dual front camera setup, and will retail from RM1799.

While they may be positioned as mid-range devices, Samsung has actually trickled down quite a number of flagship features to the new Galaxy A8 (2018) devices. In fact, the two phones even feature a dual-camera setup at the front, allowing for Live Focus for selfies – something the flagship Galaxy S8 and Note 8 devices do not offer.

The Galaxy A8 also feature the Infinity Display with slim bezels: the A8 sports a 5.6-inch 18.5:9 Super AMOLED display, while the A8+ features a larger 6-inch panel; both phones boast Full HD+ 2220 x 1080 resolutions.

The dual front camera, on the other hand, are made up of 16MP + 8MP sensors. The front cameras feature Live Focus, which simulates a shallow depth of field in your selfie shots. The rear camera, on the other hand, is a 16MP f/1.7 shooter with phase detection autofocus.

Rounding out the specifications of the Galaxy A8 and A8+ are an unspecified Exynos octa-core processor paired with 4GB (A8) or 6GB (A8+) of RAM, 32GB (A8) or 64GB (A8+) of expandable storage, IP68 water and dust resistance, a 3,000mAh battery (3,500mAh on the Galaxy A8+), and Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.





The two phones run Android 7.1.1 out of the box, and feature a fingerprint scanner USB Type C fast charging, Bixby, and the Dual Messenger feature.


The Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) will be available in three colours (Black, Gold, and Orchid Grey) and will retail for RM1799 and RM2499 respectively. They will go on sale nationwide from 19 January onwards, and there will also be an early bird promo from 19-21 January, where those who buy the Galaxy A8 phones will receive a free 64GB Samsung Evo Plus microSD card and a 10000mAh power bank with Type C connector.

For more information, check out our review of the Galaxy A8 (2018) here.




Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) hands-on
We'll try not to make a huge deal out of it, but we can't overlook it either - Samsung's discovered the right spot for a fingerprint reader on the back of a phone. The high off-center placement on the Galaxy S8 and Note8 this year has been universally hated and we're glad that with the A8 (2018) Samsung's starting the year on the right track. Perhaps the S9 will follow suit.

Our initial experience is that the fingerprint reader works fast and the lengthy setup process with more than the usual number of taps ensures you'd be unlocking at awkward angles and with most parts of your finger.

Anyway, we got a little distracted there. The Galaxy A8 (2018) is unmistakably a Samsung phone, with the glass sandwich and aluminum frame putting it in the company's premium tier. This year, the A-series is treated to tall, 18.5:9 aspect displays like them flagships. Only here it's 1080p instead of the S8's 1440p.

The smaller of the two new handsets, the Galaxy A8 (2018), gets a 5.6-inch diagonal. That's 0.2 inches smaller than the S8, while the A8+ (2018) with its 6 inches slots right in between the S8 and S8+. Segmentation at its finest.


That's display sizes, but in terms of physical dimensions, the A8 (2018) is in fact larger than the S8. It's a fraction of a mil taller, but 2.5mm wider and slightly thicker - there's no doubt which is the sleeker device.

In fact, the A8 feels noticeably chunky - in a reassuringly heavy way. We're not saying it's a bad thing, it's just that if you're after the A8 thinking it's more pocketable than the S8, you'd need to reevaluate. The dry numbers are there to support our claim - the A8's 172 grams are 17g more than the S8 and one short of the S8+, while the A8+ is in Note8 territory. TL;DR - the S8 remains the top choice for pocketability in Samsung's premium lineup.

In keeping with the trends, the A8 (2018)'s display has its corners nicely rounded - putting aside potential durability benefits, it just looks pretty and futuristic, and all that. It's an in-house Super AMOLED panel, and it's awesome as usual, at least that's what we can tell by looking at it with no actual tests carried out yet. The usual modes can be found in settings, letting you tune the output to your tastes.

The front isn't as minimalist as on the S8, hence the larger physical dimensions. When it comes to proportions, the A8 is like a scaled down Pixel 2 XL - there's more chin and forehead than on the S8, and the sides are thicker too.

There's sadly no pressure sensitive area underneath the home button like you'd find on the S8/Note8, which lets you have a shortcut to the homescreen regardless of what's being displayed on the screen. Did we mention segmentation already?

The top bezel is packed with stuff though, so Samsung could only shrink it so much. To the right of the earpiece there are two cameras - one is 16MP, the other 8MP. To the left is the proximity/ambient light sensors window, and further to the left you'll find a notification LED - because no Always On Display can replace it (there's that too, of course).

Samsung brought weather sealing to the A-series last year, and we're happy to report the IP68 rating is present on the 2018 models too. Another feature we'd like to see getting more widespread adoption is a dedicated microSD slot. Instead, some makers are scrapping external storage altogether. Well, not Samsung on the A-series - even on the dual SIM version of the A8 (2018), you don't have to sacrifice storage expansion for a second SIM.

The loudspeaker on the Galaxy A8 (2018) is on the right side, above the power button. It looked like an odd placement when Samsung introduced it on last year's A-series, but we've come to accept it after was also the choice for the J-series of 2017. It's in the same spot on the A8 (2018).

This post has been edited by jrrsim: Mar 1 2018, 05:18 PM

A8+.. can buy 2017 flagships.. lol

Too expensive A8+

Considering there's Note FE in their current lineup, I just can't understand why both A8's were overpriced.

Terra in 11street selling them now in somewhat the realistic price for both phones. However, I feel that A8+ is still expensive with the discount. You can just top up RM200 for an AP S8 or get other flagship phones with that price.

This post has been edited by Vicerean: Jan 17 2018, 11:42 PM


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The A8 price is kinda expected considering it is the same as A5 2017 lauch price. But the 32GB of internal storage make it not worth for the price. Should have 64GB at least.

The A8+ price is too high. Better get a Note FE or S8

I agree... a8+ price is waaaay too over..

but considering the a8, it still seems acceptable right? fe better ar?

I guess it markets to people who absolutely don't want curve screen and still want to look as good as S series. They do look good from what I have seen from YouTube Videos. Though I really don't understand the target audience for this series, especially in terms of the pricing. If I remember correctly, they also use lower end processor right?

apparently it is considered mid to high end.. processor is not flagship phone but similar to snapdragon 6series

Both uses Exynos 7885 (a new processor, probably mid range). On Antutu, it's around 60k-ish and A8+ is slightly better (80k+). The GPU is also not worth it for the price too (Mali G71-MP2, they should use MP8 at least).

Design and feel-wise, it's a far cry compared to S8 and to some extend, Note FE. I get to test them on display just now at Mid Valley and I just felt so disappointed.

This post has been edited by Vicerean: Jan 18 2018, 12:15 AM

I would say no. Get the FE instead.

The only issue about FE is slow/non-existent updates. You can search up in the FE thread about this.

This price can easily get Huawei P10 flagship. They are really marking up their prices a lot.

seriously considering the A8+ to upgrade from S7Edge. based on posts above really not worth eh?

A8+ is way too expensive, Huawei Mate 10 pro will drop in price and its a flagship phone and don't agree for a 2.5k phone to be mid range... I'm using A7 2017 but I got it for 1.5k and that is still right for me.

Don't think it's worth it.. by the time s9 launch, s8 price will drop to that region

IMO s8 is more worth it than a8+.

Yes i agree as well. S7EDGE is a flagship phone. Changing to A8+ doesn't seem like a lot of upgrade.

is A8+ 6GB RAM?

Not worth it at all.

You can top up a bit to get a SME S8 online. And once S9 launches at the end of February, S8 price will drop even more.

This post has been edited by Vicerean: Jan 18 2018, 12:56 PM

Nothing special. If have IR. That would be something

a8+ overpriced no doubt

but p10 or mate 10 all have to compromise on ip68, headphone jack, superamoled etc..

sifus,

my friend thinking between nova2i or topping up for this.. what's your opinion ?