View Full Version : Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S8? Tough decision...
I've never been so twisted up trying to decide on a new phone.
My S5 is getting long in the tooth and the new company is probably going to find/bust me for having a rooted phone, so it's time for an upgrade. I can keep the S5 around on WiFi only for the few things I really need on there that require root.
Need to upgrade through the corporate plan.
I can get an S7 for $99
I can get an S8 for $249
No real rub there, although it does factor in a little.
S7 Pro's:
Slightly shorter than the S8. Nearly identical in size to my S5.
32GB on board (my S5 has only 16GB and it's a constant battle even rooted and with 128GB sd storage)
Flatter (not completely as the edges are slightly rounded off) so screen is easier to protect and put glass on
Lower Cost
S7 cons:
Micro USB - although I've never borked a connector.
USB 2.0 (my S5 has 3.0 but that special cable is needed. I usually just pull the SD card and stick it in the computer but adopted storage is going to kill that option. I never really plug it in to sync anything, just that first time 32GB of music download, then that syncs over WiFi.
No removable battery
S8 Pro's:
Slightly narrower (and will fit better in the wrong size car holders I previously bought)
USB-C (Wife just got an S8 FREE upgrade on her Sprint account)
64GB onboard (also has sd support)
S8 cons:
The S8 curved screen kinda bugs me and everyone is saying how prone to breakage they are. This is probably the primary feature that's making it tough to decide. As soon as you case it, that curved screen design becomes moot.
Screen protection options for both cases and protectors are limited (or very pricey) due to the phone's curved screen zero bezel design.
Higher Cost
No removable battery
Performance wise, they're close enough. I don't do gaming or watch video on my phone. Basic phone stuff, e-mail, limited texts, music, my Home automation apps, etc.
I do occasionally drop my phone, but I'm not a complete klutz and the Otterbox Commuter and a glass screen protector have always saved me. The only time I've ever cracked a screen was when I rolled over my S4 with a creeper.
I've been looking at screen and case options for two days and am not any closer to a pick than when I started.
Penny for your thoughts...
$249 for the S8 is the way I'd go. Shit, get two and I'll make sure you earn a few bucks on the second one!
The S8 wil have more legs for OS support. The S8 is capable of much faster LTE speeds, has Bluetooth 5.0, and the Snapdragon 835 CPU. They both have the same size battery, but the S8 will be more power efficient. S8 is 83.6% screen-to-body ratio vs. 72.1% for the S7. You also get Gorilla Glass 5 on the S8.
Comparison link - https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=8161&idPhone2=7821
It's obvious that I'd lean toward the S8. My phone is pretty important to me in IT. I went for the Note 8.
Scanker19
12-14-2017, 21:03
I’m an iPhone guy and was thinking of switching. I was looking at the s7 and s8 as well IF I decide to switch I’d pick an s7, here why.
Charger. The s7 uses the micro usb which I have hundreds of. The s8 uses the usbC which I have none of.
I don’t like home buttonless phones, the s7 has one.
Always buy a generation behind, let someone else work out the bugs.
USMC88-93
12-14-2017, 21:05
I went from an S5 to an S8+ I liked the S5 better. I suspect that my preference has to do more with the size rather than the bells and whistles. I probably would have liked the smaller S8 more than the S8+. That and familiarity with the software and how I had the old phone set up. Like you I had years of use out of my S5
S8 has a virtual home button that is pressure sensitive. Going from the S7 Edge (mechanical home button) to the Note 8 (virtual home button), I haven't missed the mechanical button.
68Charger
12-14-2017, 21:41
I said tacos, cuz I'm a note guy...
I got a note 5 after having an S7, and never looked back.
I have an S8 and the only thing I don't like about it is that the ballistic glass screen protectors that I've had only have adhesive around the edges because of the curved screen. I went back to a regular screen protector and I got the Magpul S8 case as soon as it came out. The USB-C is pretty being non-directional.
I upgraded from the S5 as well. I don't miss it at all.
theGinsue
12-14-2017, 21:56
I say the S8. Biggest reason is how you mentioned your S5 is "long in the tooth". If you go with the S7 you're already into a phone model that's a year and a half old - the S8 buys you more time.
I got my FIRST smart phone in late May, 2016; a Galaxy S7 and it does everything I want/need and more. It was the just released when I bought it. I'll be holding onto this until it either breaks unrepairably or is no longer supportable as I only replace tech when I absolutely must. I have it in an Otterbox case with the tempered glass screen protector and highly recommend both. The only time the phone comes out of the case is when I put it in my VR headset. The Otterbox case is holding up excellently and goes on/comes off easily.
Aloha_Shooter
12-14-2017, 22:19
I went from the S5 Active to the S8+. A good case will take care of any drop concerns and I like the screen. The case I'm using is a Spigen Ultra Hybrid -- it looks good really protects the phone. If you get the clear one, you can get a skin from DecalGirl to personalize your phone so no one can "mistakenly" grab it. Most importantly, you really want the 64GB memory or you're going to find yourself in the same situation next year with the S7 that you're in with the S5 now.
JITTERBUG
You're no spring chicken. [Flower]
Tough choice. I'm still using my Note 3. When it finally peters out, I'll get another Note.
I said tacos, cuz I'm a note guy...
I got a note 5 after having an S7, and never looked back.
No card slot is still a deal breaker for me.
No battery change was a deal breaker for me when I got the S5 - could have gone S6 or S7 at that time. Now it's nearly impossible to avoid them.
JITTERBUG
You're no spring chicken. [Flower]
LOL.
I don't think that will run airwatch.
Aloha_Shooter
12-14-2017, 23:13
No card slot is still a deal breaker for me.
No battery change was a deal breaker for me when I got the S5 - could have gone S6 or S7 at that time. Now it's nearly impossible to avoid them.
What do you mean no card slot? The S8 and S8+ have a card slot in the carrier that holds the SIM card. No battery change annoyed me but the S8/S8+ has enough improvements (and I have enough battery packs) that I went ahead and made the change and I wouldn't go back.
USMC88-93
12-14-2017, 23:21
What do you mean no card slot?
Believe he is referring to the Note 5 referenced in the post.
My phone is so old it has a crank on the side(S3). Other than replacing the battery a couple of times, it's been mostly bombproof. I'm leaning towards a Note 8 (or 9, when it comes out in another year).
http://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRryTySlKwZMO5cox0CX-6KqlR8rhXZ6hBRRhYqP9wdMcHADtKfuAhttp://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRryTySlKwZMO5cox0CX-6KqlR8rhXZ6hBRRhYqP9wdMcHADtKfuAhttps://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRryTySlKwZMO5cox0CX-6KqlR8rhXZ6hBRRhYqP9wdMcHADtKfuA
What do you mean no card slot? The S8 and S8+ have a card slot in the carrier that holds the SIM card. No battery change annoyed me but the S8/S8+ has enough improvements (and I have enough battery packs) that I went ahead and made the change and I wouldn't go back.
Thanks, I know they have a card slot. They actually have a dual slot tray for the sim and a micro sd card.
That was a response to the post regarding a Note 5.
I voted for taco, because I like taco better than i-phone. [Phone]
Battery tech has improved. The problem with removable batteries is that they require the phone to be thicker. Removable batteries are required to have a rectangular shape and they have a plastic shell, and require a cover on the phone to keep the batteries in their place. Another problem with removable batteries is waterproofing the phone.
I voted for taco, because I like taco better than i-phone. [Phone]
I would also take a taco over an iPhone, but an iPhone wasn't an option.
I’m an iPhone guy and was thinking of switching. I was looking at the s7 and s8 as well IF I decide to switch I’d pick an s7, here why.
Charger. The s7 uses the micro usb which I have hundreds of. The s8 uses the usbC which I have none of.
I don’t like home buttonless phones, the s7 has one.
Always buy a generation behind, let someone else work out the bugs.
Wife's S8 did come with a micro-usb to USB-C adapter, so it's not a total bust. It is a small part to lose.
You can buy a 10 pack of adapters (stick one on every cable) on Amazon for $7.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0758P2VDP?pd_rd_i=B0758P2VDP&psc=1&pd_rd_w=XaKjl&pd_rd_wg=Sc9fl&pd_rd_r=21ed063e-e159-11e7-96b2-85d447e7bf3e&ref_=pd_luc_rh_sbs_02_02_t_img_lh
GilpinGuy
12-15-2017, 01:26
I said tacos, cuz I'm a note guy...
I got a note 5 after having an S7, and never looked back.
I still have a Note 3 (came from iPhone). Still works great, and it's paid off. Not replacing it till it's busted.
Bailey Guns
12-15-2017, 07:36
Work recently upgraded my S7 to a Note 8. I like it better. It's bigger but not so much you notice.
I did deactivate that annoying Bixby bullshit. I use the pen much more than I thought I would. The camera is great in my opinion. I think it's thinner than the 7...maybe not. If it's thicker, again, not so much you'd notice. I do prefer a mechanical home button like the S7 has. I also don't care for the curved glass...I don't use the "edge" features at all. Like other Samsung products it's stuffed to the gills with bloatware.
I was plowing my drive a week or two ago and somehow the phone slipped out of my pocket. I found it under a some dirt and rocks. Couple of minor scratches on the screen in a corner. Other than that, no damage. I also have one of the Spigen hybrid cases but no glass protection.
I'd go with the S8 if I really knew anything about phones and was comparing them...especially for the price. It's way more tech than I'll ever need or use but it's a nice phone. Course, so is the S7.
68Charger
12-15-2017, 08:21
No card slot is still a deal breaker for me.
No battery change was a deal breaker for me when I got the S5 - could have gone S6 or S7 at that time. Now it's nearly impossible to avoid them.
I thought I would have a problem with this, too... had a Note 3, then had to switch carriers when moving to TX... got S7, didn't like it that much- got note5 off ebay to try when my son broke one of the free phones we got in the deal.
with space management (sync'ing with laptop), and a wireless charger by my desk and in the car and it's working very well for me...
I thought I would have a problem with this, too... had a Note 3, then had to switch carriers when moving to TX... got S7, didn't like it that much- got note5 off ebay to try when my son broke one of the free phones we got in the deal.
with space management (sync'ing with laptop), and a wireless charger by my desk and in the car and it's working very well for me...
That's great.
I have ~32GB of music and growing, and a couple gig of offline maps, and store some of the local OneDrive and Evernote files, so external storage is a must. I could probably use a phone with internal 128GB, but that's not a current option for me.
My wife has my old at&t galaxy s4. I flat couldn't STAND any of the uninstallable crapware that both samsung and at&t piled on that thing. And stupid me I allowed an update to go through that locked the bootloader, which made cleaning up the phone a real PITA. So of course I'll never buy a samsung or a phone from a provider.
I got a huawei honor 6x just before thanksgiving for 145usd. 3gb ram, 32gb internal storage, either dual sim or sim+sdcard.
The boot loader is unlockable. The stock phone only had twitter and a couple of travel apps on it, all of them easily uninstalled 100%. So I didn't root or put on a custom firmware. I'm happy with this phone.
I don't understand the obsession with super thin phones OR laptops. I want something that's not going to just snap in half on a whim and not have to purchase an aftermarket case to make the phone more rigid.
My wife has my old at&t galaxy s4. I flat couldn't STAND any of the uninstallable crapware that both samsung and at&t piled on that thing. And stupid me I allowed an update to go through that locked the bootloader, which made cleaning up the phone a real PITA. So of course I'll never buy a samsung or a phone from a provider.
I got a huawei honor 6x just before thanksgiving for 145usd. 3gb ram, 32gb internal storage, either dual sim or sim+sdcard.
The boot loader is unlockable. The stock phone only had twitter and a couple of travel apps on it, all of them easily uninstalled 100%. So I didn't root or put on a custom firmware. I'm happy with this phone.
I don't understand the obsession with super thin phones OR laptops. I want something that's not going to just snap in half on a whim and not have to purchase an aftermarket case to make the phone more rigid.
I will need my new phone to pass SafetyNet for my employer, so a rooted device is now out for me for work. I've tried all the Magisk tricks, etc. and it's not getting me there so that's also part of the reason for the new phone. I still have several android devices that are rooted for what I need that for.
Sadly, Samsung chose to NEVER upgrade my Pro 8.4 tablet OS. I unlocked it, TWRP, rooted, installed the latest LineageOS. Ran Great. But then Vudu wouldn't run - could not even login - to download my movies so I had to reflash it stock. Fuckers. People are having the same issues with Netflix and lots of other apps now. Google says it's "unsafe", apps are a nogo.
Thanks all, I ordered the S8 today. Just have to decide on a case and a screen protector.
Work recently upgraded my S7 to a Note 8. I like it better. It's bigger but not so much you notice.
I did deactivate that annoying Bixby bullshit. I use the pen much more than I thought I would. The camera is great in my opinion. I think it's thinner than the 7...maybe not. If it's thicker, again, not so much you'd notice. I do prefer a mechanical home button like the S7 has. I also don't care for the curved glass...I don't use the "edge" features at all. Like other Samsung products it's stuffed to the gills with bloatware.
I was plowing my drive a week or two ago and somehow the phone slipped out of my pocket. I found it under a some dirt and rocks. Couple of minor scratches on the screen in a corner. Other than that, no damage. I also have one of the Spigen hybrid cases but no glass protection.
I'd go with the S8 if I really knew anything about phones and was comparing them...especially for the price. It's way more tech than I'll ever need or use but it's a nice phone. Course, so is the S7.
$450 for that for me. Nope, nada, nein, nyet.
Ordered the S8.
Tacos was a close second, S7 dead last.
Thanks for all the comments.
Had tacos for dinner last night, so that eased the pain a bit.
If I hate this phone, I'm blaming everyone that recommended it.
I got a huawei honor 6x just before thanksgiving for 145usd.
The Chicoms called. They'd like for you to speak a little louder. [panic]
hollohas
12-15-2017, 21:07
I have an S7. Best phone I've had in a decade.
That is all.
I drive a Taco and I think you should find a gently used Pixel or Pixel XL since you can find a killer deal right now with lots of people dumping them for the Pixel 2 which is only a slight improvement over the original. I've owned Android phones from all of the big players and iPhones and these Pixels are easily the best smartphone I've ever owned. No stupid marketing gimmicks and nothing but fast and pure Android experience minus all bloatware, skins and BS. Fist to get the latest updates and everything just works amazing. Super fast, smooth and rock solid stability. I know it was not on your list but I can tell you with a great deal of certainty that you will not regret going with a Pixel.
I drive a Taco and I think you should find a gently used Pixel or Pixel XL since you can find a killer deal right now with lots of people dumping them for the Pixel 2 which is only a slight improvement over the original. I've owned Android phones from all of the big players and iPhones and these Pixels are easily the best smartphone I've ever owned. No stupid marketing gimmicks and nothing but fast and pure Android experience minus all bloatware, skins and BS. Fist to get the latest updates and everything just works amazing. Super fast, smooth and rock solid stability. I know it was not on your list but I can tell you with a great deal of certainty that you will not regret going with a Pixel.
How much are they going for? The charge port on my S6 is so loose that I can only charge at night, or if my car is parked and I'm not actually using the phone. That's a bummer since I spent the effort to install a solar panel on the roof of my vehicle to keep electronics charged, and now I can't even use it!
I drive a Taco and I think you should find a gently used Pixel or Pixel XL since you can find a killer deal right now with lots of people dumping them for the Pixel 2 which is only a slight improvement over the original. I've owned Android phones from all of the big players and iPhones and these Pixels are easily the best smartphone I've ever owned. No stupid marketing gimmicks and nothing but fast and pure Android experience minus all bloatware, skins and BS. Fist to get the latest updates and everything just works amazing. Super fast, smooth and rock solid stability. I know it was not on your list but I can tell you with a great deal of certainty that you will not regret going with a Pixel.
No sd slot was a deal breaker from the get go. #1 reason I didn't get an S6 last time around. #2 was the battery, but I've conceded that point now.
I got the S8. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that Samsung has dropped the stupid adopted storage from the S8 so it mounts as a recognized second sd "external storage" device.
[Ban1]
Verizon had a lot of bloatware games pre-installed, all of which I was able to uninstall. Much of the other bloatware can be uninstalled or disabled.
Sure, I wish I still had a rooted phone as my primary, but work demands it pass SafetyNet.
So far, I'm pleased with the experience. Besides restoring everything to it, the first thing I did was also restore Next launcher and its settings. Got all my screens and settings back instead of touchwiz.
How much are they going for? The charge port on my S6 is so loose that I can only charge at night, or if my car is parked and I'm not actually using the phone. That's a bummer since I spent the effort to install a solar panel on the roof of my vehicle to keep electronics charged, and now I can't even use it!
A cursory search puts the used market at under $400. There are also some very good promotions on new Pixel 2's as well.
No sd slot was a deal breaker from the get go. #1 reason I didn't get an S6 last time around. #2 was the battery, but I've conceded that point now.
I got the S8. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that Samsung has dropped the stupid adopted storage from the S8 so it mounts as a recognized second sd "external storage" device.
[Ban1]
Verizon had a lot of bloatware games pre-installed, all of which I was able to uninstall. Much of the other bloatware can be uninstalled or disabled.
Sure, I wish I still had a rooted phone as my primary, but work demands it pass SafetyNet.
So far, I'm pleased with the experience. Besides restoring everything to it, the first thing I did was also restore Next launcher and its settings. Got all my screens and settings back instead of touchwiz.
I used to be a big proponent of MicroSD card slots but with unlimited Google Cloud Photo storage and all of the other free Google cloud services it's kind of pointless. You can store most of your junk online in the cloud for free and if there's anything critical you can store it locally on the device. If you use it that way the 32GB onboard will last quite a long time and will likely take you until you're ready to replace the phone anyway.
You can't ever uninstall all of the bloatware without a root. That's how they can offer the device at a lower cost because they sell the ability for some carriers to install their app that can't be installed... at least easily. I don't miss those days at all. My phone is Android and nothing more. No effort, no voiding my warranty and I get updates first. It's a beautiful thing. This is how ALL phone experiences should be IMO.
Hmmm, thanks for the tip. I'll have to look into that.
cfortune
12-19-2017, 14:00
Posted from my Galaxy S8+ with shattered screen.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Slightly off topics but I am planning to purchase s7 or s7 edge.
Sadly that is what I can afford with pre-paid plan.
cfortune
12-19-2017, 17:59
Slightly off topics but I am planning to purchase s7 or s7 edge.
Sadly that is what I can afford with pre-paid plan.I have a Verizon S7 edge that is in great shape. May have to go back to it if my S8+ screen gets any worse though. I just broke it on Saturday : (.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
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