Price and specifications of Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) showcases a meticulously crafted design that reflects a blend of sophistication and functionality. With dimensions of 149.2 x 70.6 x 8.4 mm and a weight of 172 g, the device feels sturdy and well-balanced in the hands, contributing to a comfortable user experience. The combination of a glass front and back, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, married to an aluminum frame, ensures both durability and a premium look and feel.

The device comes in an array of colors including Black, Orchid Grey, Gold, and Blue, offering options for different personal tastes. The integration of dual-SIM capabilities (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) in some models elevates its practicality, making it suitable for users who travel frequently or desire distinct personal and professional lines.

Display

Sporting a 5.6-inch Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy A8 (2018) delivers vibrant and crisp visuals. The display resolution of 1080 x 2220 pixels with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio at approximately 441 ppi density results in sharp images and text. The color reproduction is rich, and the deep contrast levels typical of AMOLED technology enhance the viewing experience, especially when watching videos or engaging with graphical content.

Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, the screen is capable of withstanding minor scratches and impacts, ensuring longevity. The screen-to-body ratio is about 75.6%, which provides a modern, edge-to-edge look without compromising on durability or practicality.

Camera Capabilities

The Galaxy A8 (2018) is equipped with a 16 MP rear camera featuring an f/1.7 aperture and phase detection autofocus (PDAF). This setup ensures that users can capture detailed photos with substantial clarity, even in low-light conditions. The addition of LED flash, panorama, and HDR enhances the camera's versatility across different shooting scenarios.

For selfies, Samsung has provided a dual-camera setup on the front, consisting of a 16 MP lens with an f/1.9 aperture and an 8 MP lens, both wide-angle. This combination supports features like Live Focus, enabling users to adjust the bokeh effect before and after taking the shot. The front cameras also support video recording at 1080p@30fps, ensuring that both photos and videos are rich in detail.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Galaxy A8 (2018) runs on the Exynos 7885 chipset, built on a 14 nm process. The octa-core CPU, consisting of two Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A53 cores at 1.6 GHz, provides a balance of power efficiency and performance. For graphics, the Mali-G71 GPU handles tasks effectively, supporting high-quality graphics rendering for games and media.

Initially shipped with Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), the device is upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), layered with Samsung’s One UI. This software enhancement brings a more intuitive and simplified user experience, with features such as customizable home screens, enhanced notifications, and gesture-based navigation, tailored to improve multitasking capabilities.

Memory and Storage

The Galaxy A8 (2018) comes with 4 GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient app management. For storage, users have the option between 32 GB and 64 GB of internal memory, both expandable via a dedicated microSDXC slot. This flexibility allows ample space to store apps, photos, and videos without constant concern over available storage.

Battery Life

Powering the Galaxy A8 (2018) is a non-removable 3000 mAh Li-Ion battery, delivering satisfactory endurance for the average user. Samsung claims a talk time of up to 24 hours on 3G and up to 66 hours of music play, which should cover a full day of varied usage without requiring a recharge.

The 18W fast-charging capability ensures that users can quickly recharge and return to their tasks, reducing downtime significantly. While not featuring wireless charging, the inclusion of a USB Type-C connector streamlines the charging process with faster data transfers and charging.

Network and Connectivity

The device offers robust network support with GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies. It covers a wide range of 2G, 3G, and 4G bands, ensuring global roaming capabilities and consistent connectivity in various regions. The LTE Cat11 support allows for download speeds of up to 600 Mbps, meaning faster browsing and streaming experiences.

Connectivity options are well-covered with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS with GLONASS and BDS for navigation. The A8 (2018) also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio, and USB Type-C port, meeting various user needs.

Audio and Multimedia

The Galaxy A8 (2018) comes with a loudspeaker that offers clear and sufficient sound output, complemented by a 3.5mm jack for those who prefer wired audio devices. In terms of audio quality, the device provides decent noise and crosstalk performance, making it suitable for media consumption and gaming.

The multimedia experience is further enhanced by its vivid Super AMOLED display, making video watching enjoyable with excellent color accuracy and contrast levels.

Additional Features

The phone is equipped with various sensors, including a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer. These sensors provide enhanced security and functionality for a more streamlined user experience.

The Galaxy A8 (2018) is an all-rounded device that caters to users seeking durable design, reliable performance, and comprehensive connectivity options. Although now outdated compared to the latest smartphones, it continues to serve as a powerful device for everyday mobile tasks, making it a value-for-money choice from Samsung’s lineup.