Review: Samsung Galaxy S8

- When it comes to high-end smartphones, there are two devices that fighting for the top: Apple iPhone and Galaxy S phone from Samsung. The latter is on again with his Galaxy S8.

The S8 (and its larger but otherwise identical brother S8 +) is the so-called flagship of Samsung. It is the phone that the company already has its technical expertises shows. And it turns out, because especially in design terms, this new phone a jewel. The screen is rounded at the sides, so that it seems as if he has no edge on these sides. Above and shown below are two small edges, but otherwise it looks like you're one big screen in your hand. A cool effect.

All of the standard features are well-maintained in this phone. The 12 megapixel camera makes excellent screens, the device is completely waterproof, the hardware is very powerful and runs any app without problems; In short, it's just like a toptelefoon should be. Even the software difference that the company is running on Android looks good and works intuitively. That was a pain point in the past.

Finally, Samsung has introduced its own digital assistant, Bixby. It consists of various elements. First, the Siri-like voice assistant that you ask questions and to whom you give your voice commands. Unfortunately this does not work in Dutch, so unless you like to speak English in public, it is not very great. In addition, Bixby Vision. It detects objects in the pictures you create and then share information and links to sites that may be useful. For example, create a picture of the Eiffel Tower, he proposes what is still more to do in the neighborhood.

Then there Bixby Reminder, which is basically a to-do list and reminds you of important events and appointments. Nothing surprising, but it works fine. All this comes together in the Bixby-home page, where you get by pressing the dedicated Bixby button on the side of the device.

To immediately go about Bixby: This digital assistant needs some extra work. The voice assistant working properly- so be it only in English- but the photo identification is far from spotless and recognizes in many cases is not what is seen in the photo. Not that it ruined the ease of use, but there are simply better digital assistants in circulation.

Apart from that, however, there is on the phone very little to criticize. Especially the exterior design deserves a big compliment. Not only is the device particularly stylish, thanks to the elimination of borders Samsung has even a phone with a 6.2 inch wide screen (S8 +) managed to make a handy device. So we have not seen them.

All this smoothed really stands, is the placement of the fingerprint sensor. To move to the front to make room for the screen, toward the rear. No problem, in itself, except that it is literally next to the camera and therefore you constantly lubricate your finger over the lens. That is the quality of the pictures not good. A weird design choice.

The Galaxy S8 is one of the best phones that was released in recent years. Samsung has opted for an innovative and stylish design. There are a few smetjes- Bixby does not come completely out of the paint and the fingerprint sensor is in a weird place- but all in all, the Korean company should be proud of this class phone.

+ Beautiful device with unique design.

+ Big screen without being rude.

+ Further powerful phone with good camera.

- Bixby is not yet completely out of the paint.

- The fingerprint sensor is in an awkward spot.