Samsung Galaxy A8 review: Hands-on with Samsung’s latest mid-range smartphone

With a dual front-facing camera and an Infinity Edge display, Samsung’s Galaxy A8 sets its sights on the OnePlus 5T

The annual CES tech fair isn't usually a big show for smartphones. The bug guns usually hold off for MWC in February to launch their flagship handsets but you usually get the odd new phone and this year's big CES phone is the Samsung Galaxy A8.

Standout features of this 5.6in phone are a dual front-facing camera for selfies and one of those new extra-wide aspect displays. These additions are a first for the Galaxy A-series.

Samsung Galaxy A8 hands-on: Key specs

• Display: 5.6in FHD+ (1,080 x 2,220) Super AMOLED, 18.5:9 aspect ratio, 441 ppi density
  
• Processor: 2.4Ghz octa-core Exynos 7885
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 32GB (global), 64GB (Middle East, Brazil); up to 256GB via microSD card
• Rear camera: 16-megapixel f/1.7 with phase detect autofocus (PDAF)
• Front camera: dual 16 and 8 megapixel f/1.9
• SIM: Single SIM (Nano-SIM) in Europe, Dual SIM (Nano-SIM) rest of the world
• Dimensions: 71 x 8.4 x 149mm (WDH)
• Weight: 172g
• Android: 7.1.1 with Samsung TouchWiz
• Battery: 3,000mAh
• Other: Fast charging, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C

Samsung Galaxy A8 hands-on: Design and key features

In a first for the A-series range, or anything outside of Samsung’s flagships for that matter, 2018’s Galaxy A8 has a 5.6in edge-to-edge display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The bezels aren't quite as slim as they are on the Samsung Galaxy range, though, with a distinct black border still running around the edges of the screen. In fact the front of the phone is more reminiscent of the Google Pixel 2 XL than Samsung's more glitzey brethren.