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Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A8 (2016)

Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
Exynos 7 Octa 7420
Mali-T760 MP8
3 GB / 32 GB
5.7 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus

The manufacturer offers this phone with a 5.7 inch Super AMOLED display, a Exynos 7 Octa 7420 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM.

Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy A8 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.

Samsung Galaxy A8 / 1

Samsung Galaxy A8 specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy A8
ModelSM-A810
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.42 oz
Dimensions6.17 x 3.02 x 0.28 inch
Colorsblack, blue, gold, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Samsung Galaxy A8 is about 6.42 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow)
SoCExynos 7 Octa 7420
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T760 MP8

The Samsung Galaxy A8 comes with Android OS v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. It's a powerful Exynos 7 Octa 7420 octa-core processor. It can handle complex tasks and run many applications. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

Samsung Galaxy A8 / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeSuper AMOLED
Screen size5.7 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.7 inch phone comes with AMOLED display. Smartphones use the AMOLED, which is a type of OLED display. The 5.7 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Galaxy A8 has 32 GB. We can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Samsung Galaxy A8 / 2

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera8 MP

This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Galaxy A8 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Samsung Galaxy A8 supports 4G/LTE networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy A8 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of Galaxy A8 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The Galaxy A8 phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • Super AMOLED display
  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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