Doing the Cell Phone Technology Walk
When I first read of the Samsung Galaxy S8 screen size, resolution and features, I was intrigued. Intrigued because Samsung touted that the phone would have “the fastest speed, best resolution, greatest call quality, and sleeker design ever seen in a smartphone” and features for dollars’ value was anticipated to be a good buy.
30 April was a landmark day for me when I upgraded, and I did say upgraded, from an Samsung Galaxy S7 to the Samsung Galaxy S8 - this smartphone has to be ‘leader of the pack’ by any measure.. The display is stunning and the battery Life is at least 40% better than the S7, but more important the features and s/w integration with social sites, Samsung Galaxy Tablets, we have the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2s,Windows 10 laptops and desktops, the world standard in our home LAN/WAN environment is impeccable and intuitive, so much so that I have to ask myself how much can this ‘super-smartphone’ be improved. The ease of use and integration showed up in spades when we were driving down I-75 in Florida in an Toyota Corolla car rental headed for the beach house and an Amber Alert came in for a missing 5 y/o child and the radio was subdued and the SMS text message was read over the automobile speakers. I was sold!
Pros: A lot has been written about the Samsung Galaxy S8 & S8+ with reviewers just blathering with praise about the S8/S8+. I was sure that after the Samsung Note battery debacle that Samsung would do everything possible to engineer a feature-full safe phone. Samsung did not disappoint; the design is the best I ever. It’s obvious a lot of time, thought and money was put into the this phone from every perspective. The large high definition screen feels smaller than any 5.5+ phone on the market today. The LTE connection feels faster than the S7 but it may be due to improved WiFi connection protocols and compression schemes. We particularly like the cell feature that enables this LTE smartphone to switch to the GSM cell networks we find in the Caribbean and Mexico. Cell connection speeds feel very fast and the top-of-the-line camera is second to none in the smartphone arena. The headphones included with the S8 are excellent coming close to the fidelity of our $350.00 Shure ear buds; re-claiming our S7 familiar environment and user interface on the S8 and transferring media files, documents and favorites from the Galaxy S7 phone to the S8+ was simple and fast, taking about 25 minutes over a Best Buy WiFi connection to the automatic Google site apps download, after logging in. The transfer process was conveniently enabled via an included type-C USB cable and crossover adapter to enable a S7 to S8 direct transfer. Some have criticized the location of the fingerprint sensor and their own small hands and short fingers. I don’t find the location at all inconvenient and love the fingerprint logon feature. I like it better than on the S7 home button placement I previously used. I had grouped my S7 apps into convenient group icons e.g. Comms, Pwd & Security, MS Apps, Google Apps, Samsung Apps, etc.. I was surprised that the data transfer maintained my user interface concept by maintaining the grouping icons for multiple-like apps on the S8.
This phone is stands alone in a ‘leader of the pack’ class amongst all smart phones, Android or the Apple IOS iPhone. The anticipated Apple release of the iPhone 8 later year same is expected to follow the Samsung lead and include the fingerprint sensor also on the back – I expect users and reviewers will call it Magical.
Cons: I was particularly disappointed in Sprints marketing approach. Sprint has adopted a ‘Spring Store’ concept of marketing where they have contracted to have small business contractors establish box stores to push the Sprint product line to the consumer. This approach bit us in the axx two years ago when I went to one of these Sprint Stores not realizing it wasn’t Sprint at all but rather a contractor to Sprint. I asked all the right questions and now know I got only deceitful answers. My requirement was that I wanted to upgrade my Samsung Galaxy S5 to an S6; maintain our connection to the Sprint GSM/LTE network; maintain our family shared plan with unlimited text and data; and not increase the monthly cost we were paying for the family data plan. The representative responded to assure me that our shared family data plan would not increase but I would have to agree to ‘a 2-year contract with Sprint’ to get the ‘discount’ price being offered. As my requirements seemed to be met, I signed onto the deal as presented. When the first bill came I was surprised my bill had increased by $25.00 /month. Further, I was locked into this plan for 2-years. I was furious. It turns out I had been sucked into a 2-year lease agreement and at the end of the lease I wouldn’t even own the phone and would have to turn in the phone to upgrade or sustain an addition fee. The contractor got their ‘commission’ and Sprint had locked a customer to Sprint , making it untenably expensive to change to another carrier if I was dissatisfied with the Sprint service or network. Caveat Emptor – buyer neware! I would never have signed onto a lease if I had known. This is where the ‘rub’ comes in with my Samsung Galaxy S8 upgrade. Wherever I went e.g. The Sprint Store, or online to take advantage of a $50.00 discount for the phone, the only way I could get the upgrade was to at least initially at the Sprint Store, agree to the 2-year lease contract – I could cancel and buy out the lease in 30 days but that was the only way I could walk out of the Sprint Store that day with a phone. The only other option at the Sprint Store was to pay for the phone in cash and then wait up to 30-days for the phone to be shipped to me. Ugh!.
Relief: I found relief at Best Buy. At Best Buy I could buy the Samsung Galaxy S8, paying cash, and get it that day and have it completely configured on the spot. What a concept! I simply wouldn’t get the $50.00 discount offered by the Sprint Store or online to sign the 2-year contract. Big deal. At least the phone would be mine and I could upgrade or change carriers at will. Although this approach would be pricey and an immediate stress point on the budget, it would be cheaper in the long run. I was a happy camper after making this decision choice. With all of this, I was further disappointed in Sprint when the Best Buy tech couldn’t use the automated process to transfer the cell technical to the S8 so I could maintain the same cell telephone number. They were forced to call Sprint directly. Upon verbally giving the S8 cell phone technicals and my account particulars, Sprint wanted to know why Best Buy wasn’t selling me a 2-year contract and lease. The tech responded to Sprint that I was purchasing the Galaxy S8 outright. That ended that conversation but it was clear to me that they were more in the business of selling leases and leased phones. Oh, did I say that albeit my choice was an expensive choice with the S8 costing as much as $899.00; if you want a screen protector paying $54.00 would be an additional cost and another $30.00 for a protective case. Wow! Not an inexpensive endeavor but smartphone appliances have become an essential appliances for ‘the connected life’ and family convenience. It’s worth it to us and we don’t mind paying for convenience and capability.
When I first read of the Samsung Galaxy S8 screen size, resolution and features, I was intrigued. Intrigued because Samsung touted that the phone would have “the fastest speed, best resolution, greatest call quality, and sleeker design ever seen in a smartphone” and features for dollars’ value was anticipated to be a good buy.
30 April was a landmark day for me when I upgraded, and I did say upgraded, from an Samsung Galaxy S7 to the Samsung Galaxy S8 - this smartphone has to be ‘leader of the pack’ by any measure.. The display is stunning and the battery Life is at least 40% better than the S7, but more important the features and s/w integration with social sites, Samsung Galaxy Tablets, we have the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2s,Windows 10 laptops and desktops, the world standard in our home LAN/WAN environment is impeccable and intuitive, so much so that I have to ask myself how much can this ‘super-smartphone’ be improved. The ease of use and integration showed up in spades when we were driving down I-75 in Florida in an Toyota Corolla car rental headed for the beach house and an Amber Alert came in for a missing 5 y/o child and the radio was subdued and the SMS text message was read over the automobile speakers. I was sold!
Pros: A lot has been written about the Samsung Galaxy S8 & S8+ with reviewers just blathering with praise about the S8/S8+. I was sure that after the Samsung Note battery debacle that Samsung would do everything possible to engineer a feature-full safe phone. Samsung did not disappoint; the design is the best I ever. It’s obvious a lot of time, thought and money was put into the this phone from every perspective. The large high definition screen feels smaller than any 5.5+ phone on the market today. The LTE connection feels faster than the S7 but it may be due to improved WiFi connection protocols and compression schemes. We particularly like the cell feature that enables this LTE smartphone to switch to the GSM cell networks we find in the Caribbean and Mexico. Cell connection speeds feel very fast and the top-of-the-line camera is second to none in the smartphone arena. The headphones included with the S8 are excellent coming close to the fidelity of our $350.00 Shure ear buds; re-claiming our S7 familiar environment and user interface on the S8 and transferring media files, documents and favorites from the Galaxy S7 phone to the S8+ was simple and fast, taking about 25 minutes over a Best Buy WiFi connection to the automatic Google site apps download, after logging in. The transfer process was conveniently enabled via an included type-C USB cable and crossover adapter to enable a S7 to S8 direct transfer. Some have criticized the location of the fingerprint sensor and their own small hands and short fingers. I don’t find the location at all inconvenient and love the fingerprint logon feature. I like it better than on the S7 home button placement I previously used. I had grouped my S7 apps into convenient group icons e.g. Comms, Pwd & Security, MS Apps, Google Apps, Samsung Apps, etc.. I was surprised that the data transfer maintained my user interface concept by maintaining the grouping icons for multiple-like apps on the S8.
This phone is stands alone in a ‘leader of the pack’ class amongst all smart phones, Android or the Apple IOS iPhone. The anticipated Apple release of the iPhone 8 later year same is expected to follow the Samsung lead and include the fingerprint sensor also on the back – I expect users and reviewers will call it Magical.
Cons: I was particularly disappointed in Sprints marketing approach. Sprint has adopted a ‘Spring Store’ concept of marketing where they have contracted to have small business contractors establish box stores to push the Sprint product line to the consumer. This approach bit us in the axx two years ago when I went to one of these Sprint Stores not realizing it wasn’t Sprint at all but rather a contractor to Sprint. I asked all the right questions and now know I got only deceitful answers. My requirement was that I wanted to upgrade my Samsung Galaxy S5 to an S6; maintain our connection to the Sprint GSM/LTE network; maintain our family shared plan with unlimited text and data; and not increase the monthly cost we were paying for the family data plan. The representative responded to assure me that our shared family data plan would not increase but I would have to agree to ‘a 2-year contract with Sprint’ to get the ‘discount’ price being offered. As my requirements seemed to be met, I signed onto the deal as presented. When the first bill came I was surprised my bill had increased by $25.00 /month. Further, I was locked into this plan for 2-years. I was furious. It turns out I had been sucked into a 2-year lease agreement and at the end of the lease I wouldn’t even own the phone and would have to turn in the phone to upgrade or sustain an addition fee. The contractor got their ‘commission’ and Sprint had locked a customer to Sprint , making it untenably expensive to change to another carrier if I was dissatisfied with the Sprint service or network. Caveat Emptor – buyer neware! I would never have signed onto a lease if I had known. This is where the ‘rub’ comes in with my Samsung Galaxy S8 upgrade. Wherever I went e.g. The Sprint Store, or online to take advantage of a $50.00 discount for the phone, the only way I could get the upgrade was to at least initially at the Sprint Store, agree to the 2-year lease contract – I could cancel and buy out the lease in 30 days but that was the only way I could walk out of the Sprint Store that day with a phone. The only other option at the Sprint Store was to pay for the phone in cash and then wait up to 30-days for the phone to be shipped to me. Ugh!.
Relief: I found relief at Best Buy. At Best Buy I could buy the Samsung Galaxy S8, paying cash, and get it that day and have it completely configured on the spot. What a concept! I simply wouldn’t get the $50.00 discount offered by the Sprint Store or online to sign the 2-year contract. Big deal. At least the phone would be mine and I could upgrade or change carriers at will. Although this approach would be pricey and an immediate stress point on the budget, it would be cheaper in the long run. I was a happy camper after making this decision choice. With all of this, I was further disappointed in Sprint when the Best Buy tech couldn’t use the automated process to transfer the cell technical to the S8 so I could maintain the same cell telephone number. They were forced to call Sprint directly. Upon verbally giving the S8 cell phone technicals and my account particulars, Sprint wanted to know why Best Buy wasn’t selling me a 2-year contract and lease. The tech responded to Sprint that I was purchasing the Galaxy S8 outright. That ended that conversation but it was clear to me that they were more in the business of selling leases and leased phones. Oh, did I say that albeit my choice was an expensive choice with the S8 costing as much as $899.00; if you want a screen protector paying $54.00 would be an additional cost and another $30.00 for a protective case. Wow! Not an inexpensive endeavor but smartphone appliances have become an essential appliances for ‘the connected life’ and family convenience. It’s worth it to us and we don’t mind paying for convenience and capability.
It is also difficult to reach the fingerprint reader one handed and it takes alot of effort to get your finger just right. Might as well type in my password!!! Bixby right now is totally worthless. Hopefully it will mature, but I am not setting much expectations here as all other Samsung software is crapware.
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