I have been using a Nexus 6P as my main phone since the fall of 2015. It’s been a really nice device, but it’s time that I hand it down to Jeanne so she can ditch her older than dirt Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and I can move to something new like the Samsung Galaxy S8!
I just finished watching Samsung’s Unpacked Event where they officially unveiled the Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices. I’m excited about the new phones. The event itself didn’t sway me to want to buy one of them though. I had already decided that I would be buying one months ago. My only struggle has been trying to decide which one to choose: S8 or S8+. I’ve finally made up my mind to go with the S8. The S8+’s crazy large display is very tempting, but I’m looking forward to having the same size screen as my Nexus 6P in a more pocket-friendly size.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices won’t be available until April 21st, but pre-orders start at 12:01 AM tomorrow morning through Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The S8 will be priced at $750 and the S8+ will be $850 from AT&T and T-Mobile, but only $720 and $830 through Verizon, which is the carrier that I use. Verizon and T-Mobile are also including a new Samsung Gear VR headset and other goodies.
I also want to buy a Samsung DeX dock which will let you connect the S8/S8+ to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse for a full-screen PC-like experience. I’m really excited to try that feature. Right now there isn’t any info about pricing or availability. But if it’s up for pre-sale at 12:01 tomorrow morning, I’m adding one to my shopping cart along with a black S8.
Check out Samsung for more info on the new Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices (Note: at the time I’m posting this, they haven’t added any specific product info).
Is anyone else as excited as I am to get their hands on one of these new phones?
Update 03/30/17
I didn’t pre-order like I planned to this morning. I found out last night that buying an S8 will bump my Verizon plan to their new Unlimited plan which also means my company discount through my day job (Cummins Inc.) would be dropped causing my monthly bill to increase. The unlocked versions of the new S8 phones won’t go on pre-order until May 9th so I have time to figure out what I want to do between now and then and will be able to play with a Galaxy S8 loaner unit from Verizon soon which I’ll be reviewing.
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I have the 6P and love it. Looking at the S8 and S8+ makes things trickier with screen size. The S8 screen is 5% smaller than then 6P, and the S8+ is 9% bigger than the 6P screen. I look forward to your comments on the S8!
Nexus 6P 90cm^2
Samsung S8 86cm^2
Samsung S8+ 98cm^2
Hmmm, I’ve just been going by the 6P 5.7″ and S8 5.8″
They changed the aspect ratio. Screen size is from lower corner to opposite upper corner, so a larger aspect ratio screen is a smaller area for the same “size”.
Ah ok… Hmmmmm, not I’m not sure which one I’ll go with. Looks like I won’t be ordering tonight anyway… Just realized that I can’t order an unlocked phone yet. If I order through Verizon, it’s going to cause my account to get updated to the new unlimited plan which will cause my monthly bill to increase significantly over what I’m paying now. I had this same sort of issue when I ordered the iPhone 7 last fall. It goofed up my Verizon account and it took me quite a while to get that all sorted out.
Hey — don’t dis the Note 2. That thing will last forever and still do 95% or more of what you need a phone to do. I use mine every day, but not as my phone (that’s a Note 4).
I converted my Note 2 into a car device. I listen to a lot of audiobooks when driving so I have the Note 2 in a dash magnetic mount plugged into the aux port of my car stereo. Also, all my music is on it that I play via PowerAmp. It’s set with the Daydreamer clock so it also acts as an always on large digital clock while driving. When I start the car the phone wakes, I tap the audiobook player app, and it picks right up where it left off the day before. Same if I use PowerAmp.
I was about to order the Note 7 when the bad news hit about the battery tending to burn up. I read that Samsung is possibly going to resell some of the recalled Note 7’s with a new battery/power system. I hope so. I have GOT to have a stylus.
Also, just got the Tab S3. The new stylus is wonderful
The Note 2 is a little outdated for some things. Like the Kevo lock. Jeanne can’t use her phone to unlock the lock because it’s not compatible with the Bluetooth version. Her phone also takes FOREVER to connect to the Pioneer in-dash head unit that I had installed in her car for Valentine’s day.
I’m still rocking a Nexus 5, and looking around now for a Nexus 6, primarialy to get Nougat. I’m not willing to give up my wirless charging, but also not interested in a $800 phone.
The S8 looks sweet, though.
Two thoughts. Bixby? Seriously? Can’t Samsung just use Android and move on?
#2 – why is transferring photos and contacts, etc., still a “thing” in 2017? Are Android and iPhone users still keeping local-only copies of everything? That’s rediculous (even though I here people talking about losing their texts, etc., on Judge Judy all the time!)
I’m really looking forward to having wireless charging again with the S8!
I agree about Bixby. Why do we need another voice assistant? Ugh!
I didn’t catch the part about transferring photos. All my stuff goes to the nice soft fluffy Google cloud.
On the Samsung website for the S8 one of the features is a transfer manager for contacts, photos, etc., I see that all the time with the carriers as well “we can transfer your stuff”. That’s just seems like something that shouldn’t be necessary anymore.
I totally agree. I guess it’s for non-techies.
Yup – my wife and I are both getting S8+. We will also probably kick in for the upgraded add-ons: the 256GB microSD card and the Harmon-Kardon over the ear bluetooth headphones for $99. Replacing our S7 Edge phones which were a poor substitute for the Note 7.
Agree about Bixby – plus, so far, news is that it is half-baked plus may be an update after you get the phone because it is probably not ready for prime time.
Might also try the dock (DeX?) although I am not sure anyone has found the secret sauce that makes a phone work well as a desktop. At least it will be a monitor I own, so theoretically the dock itself should be “inexpensive”.
Ha. I kill me. Inexpensive.
eClipse I’m about to let go of my Nexus 6 for 6P. About to put it on Swappa. Email me if you want first crack.
Update 03/30/17
I didn’t pre-order like I planned to this morning. I found out last night that buying an S8 will bump my Verizon account to their new Unlimited plan which also means my company discount through my day job would be dropped causing my monthly bill to increase. The unlocked versions of the new S8 phones won’t go on pre-order until May 9th so I have time to figure out what I want to do between now and then and will be able to play with a loaner unit from Verizon soon which I’ll review.
Right, I was looking at ordering one today as well until I heard there will be an unlocked version in a month or so… Hate having to be tied to a carrier, which why I still carry my Nexus 6.
Might as well wait for all the reviews as well. Can’t wait to see what you think.
I can’t wait to see what I think too 😉 BTW: I just received the LG G6 today. It’s in a box sitting next to me. Getting ready to open it in a bit. 😀
The new S8 is really cool with lots of cool features, but after having the Note 7 and having to switch to the Nexus 6p I would never want to switch back. The Samsung phone was so bloated with extra software I didn’t need and after 3 weeks was so slow. If I had to pick a new phone maybe an LG G6, but I’ll think I’ll wait until the next One Plus phone. Nothing gives a better experience than more RAM on the phone and is my only gripe on the 6p that only has 3gb vs One Pluses 6gb.
I just received the LG G6 loaner unit. Reviewing coming soon!
I had a Note 7. It was the best phone ever. When it was ‘confiscated,’ I dropped back to the Galaxy S6+ unlocked. It is a very dependable workhorse. The S8+ proportions are too tall and narrow (looks funny) and Bixby is a non-starter. The S6+ is good for drone flying. Even better for drones would be tall and wide. I was seriously waiting for the perfect S8+, but feel it’s far from perfect for me. I’m hoping for the Note 7’s to be refurbished and available soon or will wait for the Note 8 this fall.
I preordered the S8, last night, but when I see the LG G6, in person, I may cancel. The curved screen and back were my least favorite things about the last few Samsung phones. The display looks great but the edges are too sharp and it feels good in my hand.
For me, the G6 might be marginally better. It’s a little slower and doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but am I really going to use a retina scanner or yet another digital assistant? Probably not.
I meant that the Edge phones don’t feel good in my hand.
I had problems with my pudgy palms causing accidental screen presses on the Edge phones.
The curved display has me wondering about the S8 as well. I’m actually glad pre-ordering last night didn’t work out for me so that I can wait to get a loaner from Verizon to review first. The LG G6 loaner just arrived. I’m looking forward to trying it.
Nexus 6P owner here… Keeping it until they stop security updates in late 2018.
I’d get a note 8. But the samsung lag is what’s keeping me afraid. 6p never ever experienced any lag
By the way, if you don’t know, the S8 is the same size with 6P, I think you will not have any problem with it, it screen are bigger but same form factor with 6P.
It’s actually a little smaller than the 6P.
So the unlocked version of the phone won’t have all of the carrier crap apps on it correct? I may just consider it. I just get really tired of how long it takes to update a phone with the new OS which is why I am currently on the Pixel. I will most likely wait and see what Google will come out with next and then possibly make a switch.
Yes, that’s correct about the carrier crap. BUT, the unlocked version will cost more than the carrier branded versions. There’s also the caveat that the unlocked versions in the past have been slower than the carrier versions for getting updates.