Mobile Technology

Samsung's first 2018 phones will be the Galaxy A8 and A8+

Samsung's first 2018 phones will be the Galaxy A8 and A8+
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy A8 and A8+, with a focus on photography
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy A8 and A8+, with a focus on photography
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The specs for the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ are closing in on those of the Galaxy S8 and S8+
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The specs for the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ are closing in on those of the Galaxy S8 and S8+
The Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ has 4 GB RAM (or 6 GB options in the A8+) and onboard storage options of 32 GB or 64 GB
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The Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ has 4 GB RAM (or 6 GB options in the A8+) and onboard storage options of 32 GB or 64 GB
The main camera on the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ still has 16 megapixels, but now has a wider aperture of f/1.7
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The main camera on the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ still has 16 megapixels, but now has a wider aperture of f/1.7
Following the 2017 smartphone trend, the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ stretches the screen to fill most of the front of the device, in what Samsung calls an Infinity Display
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Following the 2017 smartphone trend, the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ stretches the screen to fill most of the front of the device, in what Samsung calls an Infinity Display
The Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ come in four colors: black, orchid grey, gold and blue
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The Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ come in four colors: black,  orchid grey, gold and blue
The Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ has dual cameras on the front, with 16 MP and 8 MP, to give a wider range of selfie options
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The Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ has dual cameras on the front, with 16 MP and 8 MP, to give a wider range of selfie options
Photography-enhancing software on the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ include video digital image stabilization, hyperlapse videos, and a Live Focus feature that allows users to adjust the bokeh effect after a shot has been taken
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Photography-enhancing software on the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ include video digital image stabilization, hyperlapse videos, and a Live Focus feature that allows users to adjust the bokeh effect after a shot has been taken
The Samsung Galaxy A8 has a 5.6-in AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2220 x 1080, while the A8+ increases the size to 6 in
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The Samsung Galaxy A8 has a 5.6-in AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2220 x 1080, while the A8+ increases the size to 6 in
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy A8 and A8+, with a focus on photography
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Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy A8 and A8+, with a focus on photography
View gallery - 9 images

Samsung has announced the first smartphones of its 2018 lineup, the new Galaxy A8 and A8+. Packing specs that are closing in on the flagship Galaxy S8, the new mid-range phones follow the screen-stretching trend by banishing bezels from the front, and now sport dual front cameras and a host of other photographic features.

Measuring 149.2 x 70.6 x 8.4 mm, the Galaxy A8 ups the RAM to the almost-industry standard 4 GB, and comes with inbuilt storage options of 32 GB or 64 GB. It's powered by a 3,000-mAh battery, which is again the industry average, and sports a 5.6-in AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2220 x 1080.

The A8+ is 10 mm taller and 5 mm wider, giving it room for a bigger 6-in screen. The battery has been cranked up to 3,500 mAh and there's an option for 6 GB of RAM. In both models, the screen has been stretched to fill most of the front of the device, following this year's trend with what Samsung calls an "Infinity Display."

The specs for the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ are closing in on those of the Galaxy S8 and S8+
The specs for the Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ are closing in on those of the Galaxy S8 and S8+

This time around, the A8 line has a greater focus on photography. The 16-megapixel rear camera has a wider aperture of f/1.7 for better low-light snaps, and a second camera has been added to the front. These dual front cameras, with megapixel counts of 8 and 16, are designed to allow users to switch between two different types of selfies, depending on whether the focus should be on you or if the background should get equal attention.

On the software side of things, video digital image stabilization tech smooths out any shaky video footage, hyperlapse extends the length of timelapse videos and, if you want to experiment with your photos later, the Live Focus feature allows you to adjust bokeh effect even after the shot is taken.

Samsung could have spent a little more time coming up with better names though: the 2018 models of the Galaxy A8 could be easily mistaken for the 2015 or 2016 models with the exact same name, the Galaxy S8, or the 2015 or 2017 models of the Galaxy Tab A 8.

The new Galaxy A8 and A8+ are due to launch in January 2018 in four colors – black, orchid grey, gold and blue – but there's no word yet on price or which regions it might come to.

Source: Samsung

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