I am planning to buy a S8 for $512 (after discount) from QD_AU for my wife. Is there a better phone in terms of camera, screen, battery life, connectivity & build quality at this price point? The older generation processor is not a concern for me as it would be fast enough for an average user.
Thanks in advance.
Samsung Galaxy S8 for $500 Still a Good Buy?
apprentice on 22/03/2019 - 12:18
Comments
I got an S8 and and S8+ off Qd_Au in the last 2 years - no problems.
Pocofone F1 $400,
Snapdragon 845,
4000 mAh battery
Can install Google Camera,
good Stock rom and a lot of third parties roms.
not bad screen, solid build body.cons
no band 28, no NFC, no local support.Once you tried Xiaomi, u will never look back Samsung……
cons
no band 28, no NFC, no local support.Sums it all regardless
Still worth than having a Samsung with their touchviz.
No TouchWiz anymore since 2017, it's Samsung experience these days and is lot better.
@[Deactivated]: Often times it's better to have Exynos over Snapdragon. Exynos supports Australian networks better, and only Exynos can flash custom recovery and ROM's (if you're into that). It's actually a good way to get off Samsung UI, I use LineageOS on my Galaxy.
They trade blows in benchmarks so that's not really a concern.
@Smokey010: agree, got a note 9 512 for 800, and surprised with it in a very positive way. Still under warranty till 2020 too.
it's packed with features and resell value are +++ comapred with chinese phones.
I bought Huawei Nova 3E and totally happy with it. $319 during 20% sale on Good Guys. And it is only about a year old phone. Highly recommend.
Ex-Samsung S8 user here, biggest gripe with it is that the biometrics are pretty slow / outdated
the fingerprint sensor is not only slow to react (even compared to cheaper midrange phones) but also oddly placed, as it's right next to the camera.
Phone has also been out for a while now (2017) so it will not receive updates for much longer. You might get Android Pie but definitely won't be any further updates to Q.
Check out the What Should I Buy Polls for some recommendations
I just upgraded to the S10 after 2 years with my S8, I can't say my fingerprint sensor was ever slow to react, faster than the S10 even. Also it may have felt strange at first but it was actually incredibly convenient where it was and I never touched the camera by accident after a couple weeks. I think you had a faulty unit.
There is a software update for the S10 finger print reader (which has finally moved back to the "home button" position).
Probably, yeah. I gave my phone to my brother and he also complains about the shoddy fingerprint scanner.
Had the same problem. Did a factory reset and the finger print was faster than ever. Then gradually started slowing down again :/
It's a great phone, absolutely worth it if you don't want to go to too much trouble shopping around and comparing in person for the slim chance you like something else better.
Is that a new S8 or a used/refurbished S8? Get the Plus. S8 screen is a little small.
It's a new phone.
I recommend the Plus version not just for extra display but also larger battery. Lithium batteries wear over time so having 3500mah in reserve makes the phone last a bit longer (meaning you won't have to upgrade as soon).
OnePlus 6(t), Xiaomi Mi8 and Pocophone also good alternatives to the S8, with generous battery life.
Are there any reputed Australian seller for OnePlus 6t & Mi8? Dealing with warranty issues is my concern.
@apprentice: Only the usual grey importers will sell those phones. Kogan, Catch, QD_Au, eGLobal (now known as Toby Deals) for example would stock those brands.
@scrimshaw: Grey import is fine with me as long as the warranty is covered by Australian law. I will check kogan & catch. Thanks.
@apprentice: My mum owns an S8. They all suffer with the occasional camera blur and you need to shake the phone to get rid of it. Its a design issue which has been fixed in S9.
@apprentice: Bricks and Mortar shop in Sydney, so Aus Consumer Law applies for warranties. No Mi8 but they have the Pocophone for under your $500 number
I bought an S8 only late last year (Sep/Oct IIRC), upgrading from an S5. Nothing wrong with it unless you absolutely must have the latest. I'm not a heavy user, don't do any social media but it's quick, good screen and does everything I need. Only way I could be happier with it is if I paid $500 for it instead of $700.
That's what I am thinking too. My wife doesn't want the latest and greatest. Just a good overall phone will make her happy.
LG V30+? Not the cheapest it's been on here, but still a good buy imo for a local brick and mortar store. Reviews well and will have later tech than the S8 - https://www.jbhifi.com.au/phones/Outright-Mobile-Handsets/lg…
"The older generation processor"
Are you kidding???
Samsung S6 and S7 still flying high and you call the S8 "older generation"
Time for a realiy check on that one but this also helps answer OPs question too.
The Samsung S8 is a magnificent phone. If fact THE BEST!
And for 5 hundred bucks its unbeatable value
Pulled the trigger with LG G7 from Mobileciti for $540. S8 was going to cost $510. The reason for buying G7 is bigger screen, newer processor, slightly better camera and extra year of warranty. I could save another $55 via TRS but have no plan to go overseas in next 30 days.
Might want to google other people's experience with QD_AU (eg Whirlpool and Ozbargain).
Good phone though. You should be able to pick up a cheaper second hand one with people swapping out to the S10.