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 ?

avoid nova2i

play friend nove 2i for awhile, screen so wash out, he said the battery is not great

if huawei is a must get honor 7x, its basically a cheaper nova 2i without dual selfie camera

i would choose a8 over nova 2i

yes, i am recommending this too.. but so many ppl thinking it's not worth it makes me doubt my recommendation

This post has been edited by jrrsim: Jan 18 2018, 04:36 PM

got budget go for sammy phone... budget tight then go for xiaomi.... the build quality is far better compared to huuwei

What about Honor V10.... Got AI one woh and straight oreo....

This post has been edited by vhs1: Jan 19 2018, 08:17 AM

thanks guys, with the original price tag i dont see its worth to get S8 from S7e but when i look at the A8+ original price i was thinking not bad, but yeah i forgot S8 already depreciated. ill just wait end of feb then for the S9 announcement. Then come another dilemma on whether to get cheaper S8 or the newer S9 haha

There's always this dilemma. haha! Honestly the technology is moving so fast, it's hard to catch up unless you have lotsa cash to burn. If you can afford it, just whatever's the best and latest at the point of time when you are looking for new phones. And whatever that feels good in your hands.

Get the old s8, den next year Feb, get the s9. Lol

The cycle is never ending.

Latest trend is AI.

s8 price going up on all online marketplace tho from the min of 2.2k/2.5k

a8 is 1.8k, online 1.7k.. still a rm500 savings for most people that dun play games.. that's how i see it la

From my POV, the strength of A8 is more towards their in-house features rather than spec sheet (bixby, s-pay, infinity display etc.). They also provide optional extended warranty (rm1xx extra of I'm not mistaken), which also a bonus too.

But I do feel FE is a better deal. You can get the best of both worlds (specs and features) for a little bit higher price.

This post has been edited by Vicerean: Jan 19 2018, 12:42 PM

Just played with a8/a8+ at the store.

Screen looks washed out. Dont know why. Very laggy. Some transitions take 1-2 seconds to load. Somehow doesnt feel polished .

Screen black borders look weird. Too thick for my liking. For me, its an overpriced phone for what its offering.

That's true. LOL

To the fore!

Agreed. Nothing last forever..phone will get obsolete with time.

my friend bought d... very happy with the Super AMOLED display

Between the A8+ and Note FE, which would you guys prefer?

I was looking for samsung phone yesterday and walk around at SenQ. Tried the A8 and Note FE. I wanted a phone with a decent Camera only!

A8, Sluggish rear camera, i thinking it doesnt have lens stabilizer, everytime i tried to shot on some movement picture, all those images come out blurry and abit exposure on lighting. Totally disappointing on the rear camera! Front camera was good for selfie no doubt. Price = Rm1,799

Note FE, rear camera is on par with Note8, same spec, just dont have auto-focus. Image color was rich! In the end, i picked Note FE over the A8. Paid Rm2199 and I'm a happy customer!

Thanks for the review I'm looking at the A8+ because of the 6" screen and 6GB RAM. LOL! But I read that video recording experience was not that great. My Note 2 recently keeps running low on memory and suffers memory leak. Have to reboot almost daily. Was happy when Note FE price dropped but then out came Galaxy A8+ So was torn between these 2 models.

hi, i have noticed that with store-display phones, usually blur is caused due to smudged lenses..

however, the note fe rear camera is definitely the superior camera.

i would pick note fe over a8+.. 4gb ram is usually good enough..

Thanks for your feedback

Does it work on metro pcs

I will get the note FE.

I tend to go a8 plus.

Samsung Galaxy A8 & A8 or Note Fan Edition?
I went for Samsung Galaxy Note Fan Edition, i believe all Samsung Note users who advised me, hahaha ....
Jump ship to Samsung Note

This post has been edited by Skyblue: Jan 26 2018, 04:10 AM

May I know y u choose note Fe over a8 plus?

I'm also considering between the A8 and Note FE as well.. currently leaning towards the note for its wireless charging, camera's OIS and front fingerprint scanner.. A8 should have better battery life though.

Me too narrow down between this two..a8 and note Fe..still can't decide..did already buy ur phone?

A8 plus looks like over price..can't wait for s8 to drop price also...sigh

This post has been edited by da drummer: Feb 2 2018, 09:46 PM

notyet. waiting for attractive coupons/vouchers on eCommerce sites.. hopefully they have special promo during CNY..

I also like the looks of the S8, but I don't think it'll fall into the price range of the A8/Note FE now.. at least not until early next year..

After reading spec compare and watching you-tube to vs phones.
The important is my hand holding come to number 1 to me actually hahaha...
2nd, FE screen size & build saving battery!
3rd, FE is Note series (Samsung Top model)
4th, I fall in love to the S pen.

Personally, i no regret to buy Fan Edition (saved my $$ for note 8)
I brought d FE 2 week ago ..

This post has been edited by Skyblue: Feb 2 2018, 10:41 PM

Should I worried software support from Samsung?

Just update the security patches for January 2018 last week... it late for 1 week, hahaha
I am looking forward for oreo upgrade . . . hope samsung don't let me wait too long...

I watched some of the reviews on youtube. The battery life is quite good.

Just some people complain it's a bit overpriced for a midrange specs

Well, you'll be buying into the Samsung ecosystem. Using spay to collect reward points indirectly gives you something back..

I just placed an order on Lazada for A8+. I love the front cam more than the one I have on S8 (and I barely use back cam). And it has all the things I love about S8 (fingerprint, face recognition, waterproof, Samsung Pay and NFC).

Too bad no wireless charging, and my fav nanosuction anti gravity case is not available for A8+, but I can live without those.

This post has been edited by emino: Feb 10 2018, 05:44 PM

just play the real a8+ on samsung store

its damn ugly, the bezel on side is bigger than my gf r9s(i guess its over 3mm on each side), dono why they marketing its as full screen

and the camera is slow to focus as well, dono why, with that money better get oneplus 5t

Considering I will most likely just use a thick bezel case (to protect screen from drop) this is a non issue lah. One of the main reason I change from S8 is because the screen goes side by side I always takut jatuh and pecah (I super clumsy one).

Focus wise, I dunno. I test mostly front cam and back cam only test macro shots. Macam acceptable je takdelah slow sangat.

I see.
Samsung Pay can use debit card or only credit card?

Debit can as long as your bank supports it.

Banks that support debit card are Hong Leong, Maybank, RHB and selected Public Bank debit cards..

But personally, I use credit cards rather than debit cards.. Can get both cash back or Points from bank, and also Samsung reward points.

Got my A8+. S8 will be kept in storage from now on.

Whata the advantage of a8 over s8?is that even an upgrade?

he do mention he need a good front facing camera , no doubt some people love to selfie more than using the real camera , the A8 have dual front facing camera with better portrait mode

if u once play the note8 front facing camera with selective focus which they claim to be Portrait mode , it's suck , suck , and suck , u get very high failure picture , that the downside i found on Note 8 that fail on SELFIE PORTRAIT MODE '

i really hope oreo can update to better software with better portrait mode

This post has been edited by chongkiatz: Feb 12 2018, 09:45 PM

It is a downgrade. But all the features I like in s8 is there in A8 such as SamsungPay, Waterproof, fingerprint scanner etc.

A8+ also have better front cam, larger screen, 6 GB ram, can use 2 sim cards simultaneously along with SD card (s8 you need to pick 2 out of 3), flat screen (I really dont like edge screen, always on the 'edge' takut jatuh and pecah and hard to find cheap screen protectors), dual messenger out of the box (s8 need to wait oreo).

I'll miss wireless charging, Motion Picture and the ease of finding accessories for phones (it was a lot easier to find for S8 on AliExpress). But I think that's about it. The rest of the S8 feature I dont really use much lol.

My main focus is better front cam as I selfie more than I took actual photos. And back camera on this phone is decent enough for that rare moments I actually take photos using back cam. I actually spend a lot of time downloading camera mod trying to get the perfect pixel 2 front cam setting but its very effortless with this phone.

Feature I didnt really expect in A8? FM Radio. I dunno why its there but I am quite surprised lol.

A5, A7, and J 7 series all have the stupid front camera fixed focusing distance. Any further or any nearer and it will be out of focus. Wtf.

Is this already solved in the A8?

Still fixed focus. But photos taken using Live Camera can shift focus between fixed cam A and fixed cam B if you wish. Its a workaround but it works I suppose.

What is Samsung thinking lol? I find it absolutely ridiculous. I guess anything at arms length will result in 100% out of focus shots (according to various reviews on the A5/A7/J7). Say bye bye to group selfies..

This post has been edited by -kytz-: Feb 12 2018, 10:04 PM

Eh I took this photo on a tripod a little further than arm's length (picture cropped a bit because I'm uploading the photo on a FB that my mum can access, she very marah if I show navel and below lol). Not out of focus lah. Dimmed lighting summore, so I think this is acceptable.

Also to be fair this is considered a mid range phone still. And even so people marah edi on the price. Adding autofocus lagi buat orang marah karang.



This post has been edited by emino: Feb 12 2018, 10:19 PM

Is there any differences between a8 and a8 plus? In terms of performance, the a8 plus feels faster?

There are quite some technical difference. 4GB ram vs 6GB ram. 32 GB storage vs 64 GB storage.

But if one is faster than the other you really need to ask any owners who has both.

wait you can put 2 sims & sd card.
most flagship phone is either 2 sims or sim & sd card.

YES.

That's why I was surprised. No more 2/3. All three can go in!

Anybody wants to buy new A8 at RM1697?

elmino the only a8 champion..

i think it is a good phone if you don't need the bells and whistles of s8, u get most of the samsung flagship experience already..

especially with additional pros like 2sim AND sd card (if 64gb is not plentiful enough), good selfie front cam etc.. probably the best selfie cam on the market now..

Not to mention waterproof. Very important for that sexy pool shots and rempit redah hujan experience.

new one after voucher RM1.5K only....

Anyone can give review a8 plus performance?

check on youtube....look better than Note FE

My noob unboxing video hahaha:

Sorry it was speed up, Instagram only allow 60 seconds:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfJ4Wa0h5GG/

where? what voucher?? i planning to get A8 as my biz phone

Same processor for both A8 & A8plus
Higher RAM might make A8 plus perform smoother.


Yes. Now u can have 2 telco numbers along with a memory card in A8.

Some night time samples of the back cam. Auto mode, just slight drag on exposure to make some pics darker (I like dark photos with vibrant colors)


The tower is not as sharp as I cant get the focusing right but I think this is still ok.





This post has been edited by emino: Feb 15 2018, 05:31 AM

Have you decided which model to take?

I am also in dellema..

I cant fathom why you bought this when you already have S8.

You said you're afraid the side2side screen will rupture if it falls(and some reviewers did complain it breaks easily). But if you just keep the phone, what's the point in owning S8???

Despite all the spec bumps, A8+ is not even a sidegrade.

Keep as backup phone, modem (slot in my unlimited Digi number) and when I need to use better camera for back shots or action shots (like taking pics of toddlers or wrestling shows, motion photo only availablke on S8). Also can use as dedicated video recording device without having to worry tetiba someone calls in, Selling S8 right now is just not worth it, especially with the price cut and the abundance of lowballers.

Initially I thought I'm gonna use s8 as main and a8 as selfie cam/modem. But I now totally switched to A8+ and S8 powered off most of the time. Better battery, bigger screen and way easier to take nicer selfies.

This post has been edited by emino: Feb 15 2018, 09:17 PM

Ah, I see.

So the A8+ is the torture use while the S8 is only taken out for melaram and specific activities.

Kinda like how those rich apek at construction sites carry tigatigasekupang and Honda Bulat© at workplace; he might attend meetings or special events in a Beemer holding iPhone. lol

Question guys, I find the photos taken on the A8 appear washed out? In Auto mode. I'm comparing to the pics I used to get from my old S7 Edge which as usual jatuh and now screen cracked.
Is it just the way the camera works?

First it would have been the difference in camera lens I suppose.

Second, I think for A8 the color has been brighten a bit to ease face detection, as those are the main reason for the phone (selfies). Even night time shoot will be brighter by default.

I usually just tune down the exposure just a bit before shooting.

Yeah, A8+ fulfil all my basic needs and for specific use I just bust out my A8.

Hmmm i see. So it will mean not using Auto and changing to Pro to change the exposure? I tried that and yeah you are right. It makes the picture more pleasing to my eye. Otherwise is like overexposed all the time.

I'm generally pleased with the phone, except that the camera is killing me with this, to the extent of thinking of getting S8.

Is there a way to keep the camera at "pro" mode? It defaults back to Auto once i come out of camera.

Thanks!

No need to change to Pro. Just tap on the screen and drag the brightness a bit. But this wouldnt work with the Live Focus mode, so I usually adjust the photo using image editing app.

OMG!!!! How did i miss that slider. hahahaha ok Got it thanks!

Got new update:

A series mostly can do that. I bought the j7 pro also can put 2 sims and sd card together.

always go for flagship models except you plan to use your phone for 3 to 4 years.

Do you mean except or if? If plan to use for 3 to 4 years, should get flagship, right?

But for me.. my typical phone lifespan only about 2+ years.. lol