Samsung Galaxy A8 Comprehensive Specs Pricing & Insights

Network

The Samsung Galaxy A8 is equipped with versatile network capabilities, supporting GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies. This ensures that users can enjoy high-speed internet and robust connectivity across various regions. The device supports multiple bands for 2G (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900), 3G (HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100), and 4G (LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20), ensuring it can be used in different geographical locations with high compatibility.

The device has a maximum speed capability of HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps. This enables users to stream videos, download files, and use online applications with minimal latency.

Launch

Samsung announced the Galaxy A8 in July 2015, and the device was released in August of the same year. Although it has since been discontinued, the Galaxy A8 remains a popular choice among smartphone enthusiasts who appreciate its balance of features and performance.

Body

The Galaxy A8 features a sleek and slim design with dimensions of 158 x 76.8 x 5.9 mm and a weight of just 151 grams. The slim body is complemented by a stylish build, featuring a glass front protected by Gorilla Glass 4 and an aluminum frame, adding durability and elegance. It uses a Nano-SIM slot, ensuring a compact design without sacrificing functionality.

Display

The device boasts a vibrant 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, offering exceptional color reproduction and deep contrast ratios. With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 386 ppi, users can enjoy clear and sharp visuals. The screen-to-body ratio is around 73.8%, maximizing the viewing area without compromising the device's ergonomics. The Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection adds a layer of durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Platform

Operating on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, the Galaxy A8 can be upgraded to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, offering users access to a range of features and improvements in user experience. The device runs on the Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 chipset, utilizing a 28nm process. Its Octa-core CPU comprises four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.3 GHz. With an Adreno 405 GPU, the smartphone can handle moderate graphics tasks, making it suitable for casual gaming and media consumption.

Memory

Samsung Galaxy A8 comes with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. To cater to users with higher storage needs, it includes a dedicated microSDXC card slot, allowing storage expansion without needing to sacrifice the use of a second SIM card, ideal for media-heavy users who store music, videos, and photos.

Main Camera

Equipped with a 16 MP main camera with an aperture of f/1.9, the Galaxy A8 offers a standard 31mm lens with autofocus capabilities. Its camera features include LED flash, panorama, and HDR, which enhances image details and color accuracy. For video enthusiasts, it supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, capturing high-definition video with ease.

Selfie Camera

The 5 MP front-facing camera on the Galaxy A8 includes an f/1.9 aperture and a wide 23mm lens for selfie enthusiasts. Like the rear camera, it also supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, making it an excellent choice for video calls and selfies with decent quality in various lighting conditions.

Sound

For audio, the Galaxy A8 features a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, enabling users to enjoy music and media through both headphones and speakers. Whether using wireless or wired audio devices, the A8 maintains great versatility in audio output.

Comms

The phone offers comprehensive communication options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band capabilities, Wi-Fi Direct, and hotspot features. Bluetooth 4.1 provides low energy and enhanced data rate for pairing with various peripherals. Positioning is supported by GPS and GLONASS/BDS, depending on market availability, ensuring accurate and reliable navigation. Additionally, it includes NFC for contactless interactions and payments, along with an FM radio with RDS and recording features. The device comes with a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

Features

The Galaxy A8 integrates several sensors to enhance user interaction, including a front-mounted fingerprint scanner for security, along with accelerometer, proximity, and compass sensors for improved usability and app functionality.

Battery

The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 3050 mAh battery, which provides sufficient power for a full day of usage. Users can expect up to 17 hours of talk time on a 3G network and up to 51 hours of music playback, providing dependable performance for daily activities.

Miscellaneous

The Samsung Galaxy A8 is available in attractive colors like Pearl White, Midnight Black, and Champagne Gold. Models for this device include the SM-A8000 and the SM-A800F. The EU SAR ratings are 0.32 W/kg for head and 0.55 W/kg for body, aligning with safety regulations. Upon release, the device was priced at approximately 250 EUR, offering a competitive option for mid-range smartphone users.

Tests and Performance

In performance benchmarks, the Galaxy A8 scored 1089 in the Basemark OS II 2.0 test and 8838 in the Basemark X test. The display is highlighted with an infinite nominal contrast ratio and a sunlight contrast ratio of 3.859, ensuring visibility even in bright conditions. Camera tests demonstrate the phone's capability to produce quality photos and videos, while the loudspeaker testing yields sound output levels of 66dB for voice and noise, and 75dB for rings. Audio quality is solid with a noise level of -89.3 dB and crosstalk of -53.8 dB, offering clean sound reproduction. Additionally, endurance ratings for the battery show a score of 98 hours, attesting to its efficiency and long-lasting performance.