• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
TechBest Companies

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 Is an iPhone Replacement—Sometimes

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 21, 2017, 3:31 PM ET
US-SKOREA-IT-LIFESTYLE-SAMSUNG
The new Samsung S8 is on display for the press after a new conference in New York on March 29, 2017. Samsung on Wednesday unveiled its new Galaxy S8 smartphones, incorporating its virtual assistant Bixby, as the market leader seeks to rebound from a chaotic handset recall and a corruption scandal. The two handsets, fitted with screens of 5.8 and 6.2 inches, include Samsung's upgraded digital assistant Bixby, competing in a crowded field that includes Apple's Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. / AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)Timothy A. Clary—AFP/Getty Images

In the world of big-screen smartphones, there’s only room for two—maybe.

Earlier this week, the Galaxy S8+ I ordered finally arrived on my doorstep. A long-time iPhone user, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but thought now was as good a time as any to complement my Apple (AAPL) lifestyle with something from the Korean conglomerate.

After all, when Samsung (SSNLF) unveiled its Galaxy S8 last month, I was impressed by what it offered. A high-end Qualcomm (QCOM) Snapdragon 835 processor could deliver better-than-iPhone performance, I thought. And the Galaxy S8’s design, featuring a curved screen and impossibly small bezels that forced the company to eliminate a physical home button in favor of a virtual option, got me excited. After living with only modest iPhone upgrades over the last few years, it was refreshing to see something so different.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

Still, I knew I couldn’t ditch the iPhone 7 Plus I’ve been using since the fall. All of my friends and family are using iPhones and iPads, and as a Mac user, as well, being able to share and access content between smartphone and computer is ideal.

So, rather than ditch my iPhone, I decided to add another line to my wireless plan and carry both a Galaxy S8+ and the iPhone 7 Plus. And although I haven’t used the Galaxy S8+ long enough to decide for sure whether it’s lived up to the hype I’ve constructed in my mind, at least so far, I’m really, really impressed.

But there are some caveats and other quirks that still make the iPhone better in some ways.

Here’s a brief look at a few comparisons I’ve gathered in my time using both the Galaxy S8+ and iPhone 7 Plus:

Where the Galaxy S8+ Wins

  • Design: The Galaxy S8+’s design is second to none. The device features a huge screen, but is surprisingly narrow, making it easy to hold and use apps with just one handset. Everyone I’ve shown the device to is impressed by its design and even a few remarked that it makes the iPhone 7 Plus I have looked awfully outdated in comparison.
  • Display: If I have to choose between watching videos on my iPhone 7 Plus or the ultra-wide-screen Galaxy S8+, I’m choosing the latter every time. For one, the Galaxy S8+’s screen is bigger and its resolution is higher, so I can see content in far more detail. Additionally, Samsung’s smartphone uses organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen technology, which produces much brighter and more color-accurate images than the iPhone 7 Plus’ liquid-crystal display. Using the Galaxy S8+’s screen is an absolute delight.
  • All the Extras: The Galaxy S8+ ships with so many features, it’s hard to pick just a few that really stand out. But just open the device’s Camera app and spend some time in the settings and you’ll get a sense of what I’m talking about. Want to change video-capture resolution? Want to boost the aspect ratio? How about some dog or cat graphics to overlay on your child’s head when you snap a photo? It’s all there. You can also modify battery usage, change how apps behave on the big screen, and much, much more. It’s almost overwhelming.
  • Battery Life: I know Samsung has had its fair share of troubles with batteries, but the Galaxy S8+ lasts much longer on a single charge than my iPhone 7 Plus. And I love wireless charging options.

Where the iPhone 7 Plus Wins

  • Ease of Use: Apple still tops when it comes to making it easy to use a smartphone. The iOS interface is intuitive, its design is outstanding, and I find it far more user-friendly than the Android running on the Galaxy S8+.
  • De-cluttering: I was shocked (and, frankly, annoyed) by the number of unnecessary apps that come bundled with the Galaxy S8+. From odd utility apps I’ll never use to an entire folder filled with Samsung-branded apps that I’ll never use, my phone has been overtaken by junk software. Worst of all, when I tried to remove some of those apps, I wasn’t allowed. Thanks, Apple, for not doing the same.
  • Lifestyle: This might not be for everyone, but as someone fully invested in the Apple universe, using a Galaxy S8+ isn’t easy. I like being able to use iMessage, access my iCloud information, listen to music, and have all my tabs sync without installing other apps or jumping through hoops. Apple has found a way to integrate into my life and make me productive. At least so far, I’m less productive with the Galaxy S8+.

We’ve included affiliate links in this article. Click here to learn what those are.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

murdochs
CommentaryMedia
OpenAI paid $100 million for a talk show. James Murdoch is eyeing an even bigger deal. The hot new asset class is humanity
By Lin CherryMay 17, 2026
4 hours ago
dennis
CommentaryAI agents
Freshworks CEO: why agile enterprises are winning the AI race — and what they did differently
By Dennis WoodsideMay 17, 2026
4 hours ago
A man with a headset sits at a desk in a call center.
EconomyAutomation
The AI boom hasn’t stopped U.S. companies from hiring cheap offshore labor, and overseas call center employment is still skyrocketing
By Sasha RogelbergMay 17, 2026
4 hours ago
Zillow CEO doubles down on remote-work model: ‘There is talent everywhere in this country’
Workplace Cultureremote work
Zillow CEO doubles down on remote-work model: ‘There is talent everywhere in this country’
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMay 17, 2026
4 hours ago
Stressed job seeker
SuccessGen Z
Gen Z is right about the job hunt—it really is worse than it was for millennials, with nearly 60% of fresh-faced grads frozen out of the workforce
By Emma BurleighMay 17, 2026
5 hours ago
A 45,000-person labor strike at Samsung’s memory chip plants could throw a wrench into the AI boom
EconomySamsung
A 45,000-person labor strike at Samsung’s memory chip plants could throw a wrench into the AI boom
By Catherina GioinoMay 17, 2026
7 hours ago

Most Popular

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
Politics
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
18 hours ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
5 days ago
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
Innovation
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
24 hours ago
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
Future of Work
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
By Jacqueline MunisMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
Oil markets could be a month away from the moment of truth. Brace for a 'non-linear' price spike and panic buying, analysts warn
Energy
Oil markets could be a month away from the moment of truth. Brace for a 'non-linear' price spike and panic buying, analysts warn
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
21 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.