Samsung S8 Plus vs. iPhone 7 Plus, how big is the gap between Samsung and Apple?

1. Design

Although the standard iPhone 7 Plus looks very similar to the previous iPhone 6s Plus, Apple has actually optimized its design in two key areas . First of all, iPhone 7 Plus has a strong waterproof function and can continue to be used normally even if it falls into the toilet. Secondly, you can choose between the standard matte metal finish or the new glossy finish, although the latter is more prone to scratches.

If those exposed spy photos are true, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus may have a larger screen, but its body will become slimmer. This is thanks to Samsung's sexy design, where the edges around the phone are replaced by a curved screen. With no bezels, the Galaxy S8 Plus may be more comfortable to hold and easier to slip into a pocket or handbag. Similar to Apple phones, it also has strong waterproof capabilities.

Of course, given the size of these two phones, it may not be easy to use with one hand. Fortunately, both Apple and Samsung have their own solutions. The iPhone 7 Plus' screen can be lowered to the lower half of the screen, and the Galaxy S8 Plus' one-handed mode has a similar effect.

2. Screen and media

If you want a device that can watch movies on the move, either Samsung or Apple devices can do the job. It is rumored that the Galaxy S8 Plus will be equipped with a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED large screen, which can be flipped, just like the Galaxy S7, with vibrant and rich colors. Despite the larger screen, Quad HD resolution ensures clear and detailed pictures. The screen of the iPhone 7 Plus is not as exaggerated as the Galaxy S8 Plus, remaining at 5.5 inches. Even though its resolution isn't that high, using Full HD instead of Quad HD, Apple's smartphone still produces very clear images that make it worth your money.

The Galaxy S8 Plus offers richer tones, while the iPhone 7 Plus offers more realistic colors. There is no difference between the two, and users can only make a choice based on their own preferences. But when it comes to storage space for your media collection, the Galaxy S8 Plus seems to have the upper hand. The iPhone 7 Plus has a maximum storage space of 256GB and does not support microSD expansion. The Galaxy S8 Plus tops out at 128GB, but you can significantly increase storage space by adding a memory card.

3. Features

It is rumored that the Galaxy S8 Plus uses Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 835 processor, which can provide you with faster operation and download speeds. In comparison, Apple uses its self-developed A10 Fusion processor, and the iPhone 7 Plus is also quite fast. We haven't tested them side-by-side, but presumably the Galaxy S8 Plus performs at least as well as the iPhone 7 Plus in benchmark tests. Regardless, gaming will be easier on both phones.

As for the virtual reality (VR) function, the Galaxy S8 Plus has clear advantages in two aspects. First, Samsung has its own Gear VR platform, which supports all Galaxy S8 series phones. To that end, when you buy the Galaxy S8 Plus, you're guaranteed to get a ton of VR games to play. Second, the Quad HD screen provides a clearer picture. In comparison, the iPhone 7 Plus has a lower-resolution Full HD screen and no dedicated VR support platform.

Of course, the most important difference between Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus and Apple iPhone 7 Plus is the operating system, which determines the look and feel of the software when running on the phone. iPhone 7 Plus runs iOS 10, which is the best mobile operating system developed by Apple. The Galaxy S8 Plus runs Android Nougat developed by Google (Weibo). iOS 10 and Android Nougat each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but in the new designs, they are increasingly similar. For example, they both now offer side-by-side multitasking modes, a robust selection of apps and games to download, and the ability to get real-time data, such as the latest headlines on your desktop.

4. Camera

iPhone 7 Plus has Apple’s first dual-lens camera, equipped with a standard 12-megapixel lens and optical zoom lens, which allows you to zoom in on objects and capture more detailed photos. Lots of details. The dual-lens setup also allows users to capture beautiful bokeh effects, which add a blurry background effect to photos to help highlight the subject in the photo. Apple's f/1.8 aperture lens means you can absorb enough light to improve the quality of photos in low-light environments. You can also activate Optical Image Stabilization to reduce hand tremors, blur and other effects during fast-moving photography.

You can also shoot 4K resolution video, supporting full time-lapse photography and slow-motion video.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge's camera is also great, thanks to its f/1.7 lens, which can capture more attractive low-light photos than the iPhone 7 Plus. In our opinion, the Galaxy S8 Plus performs better in dim conditions. There are rumors that Samsung has configured a second lens on the back of the Galaxy S8 Plus. Although it is unlikely to use an Apple-like optical zoom lens, it will be used to capture more details and add background blur effects. In addition, the Galaxy S8 Plus may also support shooting 4K resolution videos, slow-motion videos, and time-lapse short videos.

5. UK pricing

Do you want to buy these two phones? That might require you to sell a kidney or two.

Galaxy S8 Plus will be released in April 2017