Samsung Galaxy J8 review: Premium feel at a premium price

The high asking price gets you a premium feel

Then you look at the asking price of Rs 18,990 and you just wonder as to just how much you’d be getting. With Xiaomi’s Android One smartphone, Mi A2, you get a Snapdragon 660 processor and a 3,010 mAh battery for just Rs Rs 16,999. As a bonus, there is a USB Type-C port for charging.

With the Galaxy J8, you get an entry-level Snapdragon 450 processor, an HD+ (1,480x720 pixels) Super AMOLED display for Rs 18,990. Simply put, the Galaxy J8 is an overpriced proposition. There is no ambient light sensor and no magnetometer and gyro sensor. Last but not the least, Samsung has stuck with the micro-USB port for charging, while the rest of the industries moves into the future.

Unlike other Samsung smartphones, the speaker is placed above the power button, on the side of the smartphone. Samsung, unlike Xiaomi and many other competitors, hasn’t given up on the 3.5mm audio jack in any of its smartphones and that doesn’t change with the Galaxy J8. Sound output is pretty good.

The Galaxy J8 has many positives

Putting all the shortcomings aside, Samsung still has the edge when it comes to its displays. The colour reproduction is fantastic and the viewing angles, while not perfect, are pretty good. One can easily use the smartphone whether indoors or outdoors in direct sunlight.

The other aspect Samsung gets right is the battery life. The 3,500 mAh battery under the hood makes sure that the Galaxy J8 lasts throughout the day and well into the next. Despite the Galaxy J8 having a Snapdragon 450 processor, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance. Some lag was there, which is expected, but in day-to-day usage, the lag didn’t pertub me. It didn’t bother me.

Then comes the camera

In good lighting conditions, the Galaxy J8 produce some good pictures with a great amount of detail. Even the bokeh shots came out with above average edge detection. Where the Galaxy J8 falters and falters bad, is in low-light shots. The low-light shots came out with a lot of grain and way too much noise.

Barring the recently launched Mi A2 from Xiaomi, Asus’ ZenFone Max Pro M1 and Motorola G6, the Galaxy J8’s camera holds a candle to the rest of the competition. Blowing it up on the big screen and most of the shots won’t look great, but for all your social media needs, the Galaxy J8’s camera will satisfy your cravings well.

Verdict

With some missing sensors, and a slow face unlock and fingerprint sensor, the Galaxy J8 should have been priced somewhat lower. Looking at the competition, the Galaxy J8 isn’t a smartphone that offers lots of bang for your buck.

Nonetheless, the Galaxy J8 has a great 6-inch Infinity Display, good cameras, impressive battery life and performs without much lag. One cannot outright recommend the Galaxy J8 at Rs 18,990. Wait for a discount, because at Rs 14,990 (it will get there pretty soon), it is a much easier sell.