Samsung Galaxy S8+ Galaxy S8+ Review

The Samsung Galaxy S8+ at $110 offers a flagship-grade AMOLED display (88th percentile) and excellent battery life (89th percentile) in a light body. The catch? Its performance scores in the dismal 16th percentile, thanks to 4GB of RAM and ancient Android 7.0. Buy it for the screen, not the speed.

At $110, the Samsung Galaxy S8+ is a budget phone with a flagship screen. That 6.2-inch 1440p AMOLED display lands in the 88th percentile, which means it's still one of the best-looking panels you can get for the money. It's paired with a 3500mAh battery that scores even higher, putting it in the 89th percentile for longevity. That's a strong one-two punch for a phone this old.

But you're not buying a modern powerhouse here. The 4GB of RAM and unknown processor put its performance score in the 16th percentile, which is a polite way of saying it's going to feel slow. It runs Android 7.0 Nougat, which is ancient by today's standards. This is a phone for people who prioritize a gorgeous screen and all-day battery over speed.

Let's be clear: performance is this phone's biggest weakness. Scoring in the 16th percentile means it lags behind almost every other phone in our database. The 4GB of RAM and aging processor will struggle with modern apps and multitasking. You'll notice hiccups and longer load times compared to even budget phones from the last few years.

Where it shines is in the basics. The 12MP main camera still holds up decently, scoring in the 78th percentile. It's not going to compete with today's computational photography, but it can take a good photo in decent light. The 8MP front camera is fine for video calls. Just don't expect it to keep up with a demanding user.

For $110, you're getting a beautiful screen and great battery life in a light package. That's the value proposition. You're sacrificing modern performance, software, and likely some app compatibility. Compared to a new budget phone at $200-$300, you lose speed and updates but gain a better display. It's a trade-off that makes sense only if your top priorities are media viewing and battery, and you have the patience for an older, slower device.

Stacked against modern budget kings, the S8+ shows its age. A current Motorola Moto G will destroy it in performance and run Android 14, but its screen won't touch this AMOLED. The Google Pixel 10 (when released) will be in a different universe for camera and speed, but it'll cost ten times as much. Even the OnePlus 15 will feel like a spaceship next to this. The S8+ wins on display quality and battery at this price point, but loses badly everywhere else. Think of it as a specialized tool, not a daily driver.

Skip the Galaxy S8+ if you need a fast, reliable primary phone. Its performance score in the 16th percentile means it's one of the slowest in our database, and Android 7.0 is a security and compatibility liability. Gamers, power users, and anyone who gets frustrated by lag should look at a modern budget phone instead. Also, if you're rough on your devices, its abysmal 'rugged' score of 16.9/100 is a major red flag.

We can only recommend the Galaxy S8+ with a big, specific caveat. If you need a secondary media device, a durable backup phone, or something with a fantastic screen for under $150, it's a unique find. The display and battery are legitimately great. But if this is going to be your primary smartphone, the sluggish performance and outdated software are real deal-breakers. For most people, spending a bit more on a modern budget phone is a much smarter long-term buy.