Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Find out the BIG differences from UK price, UK release date and specs

The Samsung’s Galaxy S8 is arguably the best phone of 2017. But, at its £689 launch price, it put off a lot of punters from jumping at the flagship phone with its 18:9 aspect ratio. Since, it has dropped in price, but is it worth the extra investment over the dazzlingly good Samsung Galaxy S7?

We pit the two against one another to find out which is best. This is a proper versus breakdown based on our own in-house testing, there’s not a single rumour or wild speculative leak to be found.

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If you’re a little in the dark about which of Samsung’s flagships you want to buy this year, we’re here to help. Do you fork out for the Galaxy S8, or save your pennies and buy last year’s Galaxy S7 model? This is the definitive versus guide. Here’s the Samsung Galaxy S8 versus the Samsung Galaxy S7, discussing UK price, UK release date, camera and full specs. Grab your popcorn, it’s going to be a hotly contested competition.

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S7

Best Samsung Galaxy S8 deals UK:

• Vodafone – £42/month + £50 upfront (24 months)
• Unlimited mins & texts | 16GB (4G) data | Total cost £1058
• Buy now from Carphone Warehouse

• EE – £42.99/month + £49.99 upfront (24 months)
• Unlimited mins & texts | 5GB (4G) data | Total cost £1081.75
• Buy now from Carphone Warehouse

• O2 – £44/month + £49.99 upfront (24 months)
• Unlimited mins & texts | 5GB (4G) data | Total cost £1105.99
• Buy now from Carphone Warehouse

• Three – £49/month + £49 upfront (24 months) – Get the first 6 months half price
• Unlimited mins & texts | 12GB (4G) data | £1078
• Buy now from Three

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Specs and features

Taking a look at internals, you’ll find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip (or Samsung’s own Exynos 8895 for us Europeans) inside the Galaxy S8. Despite the obvious improvements to processing speed, both chips support Quick Charge 4, with just five minutes of charge granting five hours of battery life. Impressive, right? But Samsung seems to have been a trifle cautious with the S8’s battery this year, given that Note 7 debacle. Battery life is lower than last year’s S7. That’s not to say by much, but we managed an hour less than the S7’s impressive near 18-hour runtime.

There is roughly 10% faster processing speeds over the Galaxy S7, and a sizeable 20% bump in graphics performance. What does that mean? Well, the S8 is far more future-proofed than the S7 ever was. Get the S8 for a proper performance investment, but the S7 is still a more than capable performer.

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Design

While we haven’t seen much change with Samsung’s Galaxy lineup in the past few years, there’s a radical difference with this year’s Galaxy S8. It’s still a black rectangle – that’s pretty much a guarantee these days – but this year we’re treated to an all-display front, akin to LG’s G6. Don’t worry though, Samsung hasn’t ditched the headphone jack quite yet.

And that 18.5:9 aspect ratio is gorgeous. From the front, it’s the best looking phone we’ve seen thus far, but the back leaves a lot to be desired. It’s a little meh, with just the rear camera, dual-LED flash and fingerprint scanner making an appearance. Its behind looks no different to last year’s S7 and it’s quite the fingerprint magnet, too.

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Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy S7 isn’t a drastic departure from recent offerings. It’s a pretty bland-looking phone and, although not quite as dull as Google’s Pixel, it hardly wins any points in the looks department. Its flashier brother, the Galaxy S7 Edge, is the one turning heads, with its impressive curved display. Still, it’s nowhere near as svelte as its 2017 alternative. Get the S8 if you’re gunning for looks.

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Camera

Like the phone before it, the Galaxy S8 will feature front and rear cameras. Funnily enough, there’s not a lick of difference between the two. The Galaxy S8 comes packing a 12-megapixel rear camera with f/1.7 aperture.

There is but one teensy difference that sets it slightly ahead of its predecessor, though. Chipset improvements have seen an interesting new feature brought to light, in the form of multi-shot image processing. Every time you press the shutter button, the camera will take three pictures, merging them all together to form the sharpest image possible. The camera software itself has seen a bit of a change, mostly in its swipe-heavy functionality. Oh, and there’s also a new food filter – which softens background shots – too.

If the S7’s camera was no slouch, with the S8 being no different. Its f/1.7 aperture sensor lets in plenty of light – 25% more light than that ancient S6 in fact – while phase-detect autofocus and optical image stabilisation (OIS) also makes the move to the Galaxy S8. Shots aren’t quite so crisp as say, Google’s Pixel, but the S8 still packs a near-superb rear camera, worthy of your attention.

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Display

Heading back to that display, the Galaxy S8 sports a 5.8in screen, up from the S7’s 5.1in offering. There’s minimal bezel on all sides, too, making the device much smaller than your typical big-screened phones. The bog-standard Galaxy S8 does have a curved edge display this time around, with Samsung ditching that ‘Edge’ variant of previous models.

Yet again, it comes packing a Super AMOLED display. Samsung didn’t opt for the 4K route, akin to Sony’s XZ Premium, but HDR QHD+ 1,440 x 2,960 resolution is on the cards. Oh, and it’s gorgeous. There’s more of a VR push too, with the firm’s recent Gear VR refresh and that new Gear VR controller.

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Bixby

You know those Google Home and Amazon Echo digital assistants helping us out in our homes? Well, Samsung is following suit. In what sounds like the name of a snooty English butler, ‘Bixby’ is Samsung’s answer to personal assistants, and is all set to be a massive feature in Samsung’s Galaxy S8.

It’s an intriguing selling point set to rival the Pixel’s Google Assistant. Bixby helps manage your day-to-day calendar, can be paired with IoT devices in your home, and can even add items to your shopping list should you take a picture of it. Bixby will show up in future devices, Samsung says, so expect to hear your washing machine or fridge freezer shout out your calendar details in the near future. Heck, Samsung might introduce Bixby to the Galaxy S7 at some point. Here’s hoping.

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Samsung Galaxy S7: Who wins?

The Galaxy S8 improves on the Galaxy S7 formula in almost every way. From the processor, display and design, the S8 is a significant upgrade to the S7. The lack of any real camera upgrades could see S7 owners sticking with their tried and tested handset for the foreseeable future, though. Regardless, that camera is still one of the best.

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Considering you can pick up the Galaxy S7 for £386 SIM-free these days, it will still be a firm choice for the months to come. Given the Galaxy S8 costs £620 (and its S8+ brother is £677), stick with the S7 if you’re looking to save your pennies. Should you wish to take the leap, though, you won’t be disappointed.