Samsung Galaxy S8 Review: 8 Most Annoying Features On 2017 Flagship

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus released last week as Samsung’s comeback following the Galaxy Note 7 shortcomings. While the devices have proved relatively safe so far, they aren’t without flaws.

The devices hit the market to rave reviews and healthy sales, with fans applauding the sleek all-glass design of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, as well as its infinity display, which features thin bezels and no home button. Samsung has continued to use its dual-edge curved display to differentiate from other handsets on the market. In 2017, the manufacturer opted to move away from a flat display option for its flagship devices.

Read: 7 Most Annoying Samsung Galaxy S7 Features

While no device is perfect, there are some features that are a little more irksome than others. Here’s a rundown of some of the most annoying aspects of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus.

Facial Recognition And Iris Scanner Issues

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus introduce facial recognition biometrics to Samsung’s premium line. While the iris scanner is not new for Samsung, it is the first time the feature has been included on a Galaxy S device.

Owners may find it irksome that while both facial recognition and iris scanning are available, users can select only one of them. There are several security options available on the Galaxy S8, including pattern, pin, password, fingerprint, face and iris. Users can select up to three options to choose when unlocking or authenticating a device.

Reports indicate the Galaxy S8 facial recognition options, in particular, are cumbersome to use and often fail, depending on lighting, phone positioning and whether the owner is wearing glasses. The iris scanning option has similar issues.

Users have also been able to fool the facial recognition feature by using pictures to unlock Galaxy S8 handsets. The biometrics option is considered an unsafe method of authentication for mobile payments on the Galaxy S8.

Fingerprint Scanner Issues

After several iterations of front-facing fingerprint scanners embedded within the device’s home buttons, Samsung opted for a rear fingerprint scanner to usher in the infinity display, which features a virtual home button. However, the placement of the rear fingerprint scanner has proved extremely annoying. In comparison, other devices, such as the LG G6, have fingerprint scanners with a centered location on the back panel, which is much easier to access blind.

The scanner is located on the upper part of the Galaxy S8 back panel, to the right of the camera module. This placement makes it difficult for users to find the fingerprint scanner without looking. Users are susceptible to placing a finger on the camera module instead, or not having an ideal placement on the fingerprint scanner, leading to authentication failure.

Pundits believe the rear scanner is an incremental annoyance toward Samsung introducing front-facing optical fingerprint scanners on future Galaxy smartphones.

Bixby Features Are Incomplete

Samsung has also introduced to the Galaxy S8 Bixby, its own digital assistant called Bixby. Much like competitors, including Siri and Alexa, Bixby is intended to simplify smartphone tasks through learned suggestions and voice control. However, Samsung released the Galaxy S8 and Bixby without such features as voice control. Other incomplete Bixby features include Bixby Vision, which would allow owners to used the Galaxy S8 camera to learn more information about products and even purchase products automatically.

Bixby also appears to have issues loading its Bixby Home hub and rolling out updates; however, Samsung says fixes and updates to activate still unreleased features are coming soon.

Blue Coral And Maple Gold Availability

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are available in five colors, including Orchid Grey, Midnight Black, Arctic Silver, Blue Coral and Maple Gold. However, only Orchid Grey, Midnight Black and Arctic Silver are available through U.S. carriers and retailers.

The Blue Coral option was popular on the Galaxy Note 7 and Galaxy S7 Edge while several older Galaxy S models have had a Gold color option available in the U.S. Samsung has not said why Blue Coral and Maple Gold are currently limited edition colors. The options are currently available in such markets as Korea and China.

Protective Cover Required

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are beautiful devices that feature glass on all sides. This makes the smartphones quite fragile, as has been proved in several teardowns and torture tests. SquareTrade joked the only limit on the Galaxy S8 is sidewalks. This means owners will be safest by opting for a protective case and/or screen protector for the handsets.

This is unfortunate because the handset’s distinctive colors will remain hidden under a protective case. The front panel on all Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus is black, regardless of the color option. Users will want to be better safe than sorry, considering display repair fees can exceed $250. Owners may also want to consider an extended warranty or insurance option for easy repairs and replacements.

Missing Apps Icon

While we find the Galaxy S8 swipe up for the app tray access feature endearing, many owners may not share the sentiment and may prefer to have direct access to the app tray with an icon on the home screen. Luckily the default option is not permanent and users can set the home screen to include an app tray icon through Settings > Display > Home screen > Apps Button > Show Apps Button.

Quad HD Resolution Isn’t Default

Samsung marketing indicates that the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus feature 5.8-inch and 6.2-inch Quad HD (2960 x 1440) resolution displays. However, the device’s default settings are actually at a full HD (2220 x 1080) resolution. Luckily, users can update the resolution settings by accessing Settings > Display > Screen resolution. Users can even set the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus to an HD (1480 x 720) resolution.

Idle Always On Display Requires Waking

Samsung’s always-on display is actually a nifty feature, which constantly projects details including time, date, weather, location and notifications on the idle lock screen. Once idle, users must double tap the virtual home button to wake up the device and access the home screen. However, it is easy for users to forget this step and wonder why the display isn’t responding to their touch.

Double pressing the power button to turn the device off and on again is another way to wake an idle Galaxy S8 handset. But if remembering to double tap becomes too much, users can always turn off Always On Display by accessing Settings > Display > Looking for something else? > Always On Display.

Verdict

Many of the annoying Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus features have simple fixes or are scheduled for updates to resolve issues. Most users likely won’t consider these annoying features deal breakers.

Regardless, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus have many redeeming qualities. We are particularly fond the camera tweaks, which significantly improve low-light imaging.