The big brands are battling out with their flagships to see who can be the Android Phone of 2017.
Gone are the days when a single gimmick or a brand name can carry a brand through. With the advent of Google, even the average consumer can easily find out more information beyond what is provided in ads and specialist tech blogs.
Consumers don’t just look for one great feature anymore; it’s all about the whole package and getting the best value for what you’re paying.
So if you’re in the market for a new phone this year, we look at two early contenders for the Android throne. We pit the newly released Huawei P10 series with the Samsung Galaxy S8 series to see which really stands out.
How Powerful Is The Phone’s Processor?
Let’s take a look at how fast these phones can run.
The Huawei P10 features the best Kirin processor, which is the Kirin 960. It works faster, displays clearer, and performs better than the previous Kirin 955. The CPU has a powerful multi-core which reduces the time for loading any applications, promotes the speed for gaming, and makes the phone smoother for users.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 series uses a Samsung S8 uses a Samsung Exynos 8895 processor, which is their first chip built on a 10-nanometer (nm) FinFET process technology. The octa-core chip consumes 40% less power than 14-nm equivalents, featuring up to 27% higher performance.
Both phones feature a 4GB RAM, which means they are equally adept at multitasking or handling intensive apps.
How Cool Is The Camera?
Since the day the first camera phones appeared on the market, makers have been battling it out to see who can take the best photos.
The Huawei P10 comes with a Leica dual camera where one has 20 megapixels and the other has 12. The P10 Plus has the slightly better system, featuring a 20-megapixel monochrome and a 12-megapixel sensor with a wider f/1.8 aperture. The P10, meanwhile, has a f/2.2 aperture for the same setup. The selfie cam comes with extended dynamic range and gets double the brightness. It even has an “adaptive selfie” that adapts the picture to let more people in.
Aside from that, the P10 also features portrait mode, which gives better pictures complete with that bokeh blur.
The Samsung S8 series has very little difference from its predecessor the S7, which is a 12-megapixel “Dual Pixel” rear-facing camera with a f/1.7 lens. It does however have an in-built function that pairs with the Samsung Gear 360 so users can take photos and videos in a 360 degree view.
There is no addition done in terms of mode but they did add a new feature that brings Snapchat-like augmented reality filters to the viewfinder which can be used them as you’re recording video or while snapping photos.
How Long Can The Battery Life Last?
This is another challenge now that everyone relies on apps and constant mobile usage to keep in touch, draining the battery lifespan.
The Huawei P10 boasts a battery capacity of 3200 mAh which is larger than 84% of phones in the market in an extremely short period.
The Samsung S8 uses a smaller battery compared to the S7 series where their capacity is at 3000 mAH. This might not be enough considering the screen size and processing capabilities of the phone.
How Fast Can The Phone Be Charged?
Huawei definitely took time to improving and investing into the charging speed for the P10 series. The Huawei P10 uses a 5V4.5A Super Charge system which gives 22.5 Watt. This means their battery can last longer while charging faster.
Samsung S8 seems to be cautious with upgrading their charging due to the S7 problems so they have not updated it. They feature a 9V 1.67A system which gives 15 Watt. It’s not a major upgrade from a basic Fast Charge. The S8 however can be charged wirelessly.
Any Standouts In Terms Of Design?
The S8 has a 5.8-inch screen with an almost bezel-less display, while the P10’s screen measures 5.1 inches. So those wanting a larger screen may lean for S8’s Quad HD resolution display, meaning the colours and details, especially the deep blacks, will appear vivid and sharp.
So if you’re looking at design, here’s the breakdown. Huawei’s come out with a brand new metal finish called a “hyper diamond cut” which means that it has a textured back that won’t scratch nor show fingerprint smudges. The Samsung S8 released their first frameless smartphone series with OLED displays that occupies more than 90% of the area of the front panel and consumers are able to choose the size of their display.
The P10 & P10 plus features a solid home button compared to the P9 & P9 plus which featured a virtual button. Samsung S8 series also went in the opposite direction, going from a solid button from the S7 series to the virtual button for the S8 series.
The P10 also changed their fingerprint sensor from the back to the front so users can easily unlock their phones if its on the table. The S8 put their fingerprint sensor in an odd position (which has been heavily panned). It is not in the central line and is right next to the camera lens which could be a nuisance.
What Makes This Phone Stand Out?
The Huawei P10 Plus has a rating of IPX3 which means that it’s “splash-resistant”. The Samsung S8 comes with the similar rating of the S7 which is IP68 which tests have shown before that it means it can last through 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
The Samsung S8 has a USB3.1 port and integrated an IRIS scanner which uses the unique characteristics of the iris to strengthen security and allows users to quickly unlock the screen, verify Samsung accounts, sign into web pages and more.
The facial recognition feature also allows users to unlock the screen of the device using facial recognition instead of drawing a pattern or entering a PIN password. This makes it much easier to unlock your phone particularly when you don’t have a hand free to slide around on the screen.
How Much Do I Have To Fork Out For This?
This is usually the deciding factor when it comes to buying phones. Even if you want the latest flagship, often the high prices might make you a little more wary.
However, the Huawei P10 is priced at RM2499 while the P10 Plus is priced at RM3099. The Samsung Galasy S8 series retails for much higher with the Samsung S8 costing at RM3398 and the S8+ at a whopping RM3798.
Verdict
It’s quite a tough match, what with both brands producing these high quality flagship smartphones with features that left a good impression. They both boast impressive specifications with individual characteristics that are unique to their brand.
Samsung had a few points docked due to how their features are not vastly different from the S7 series but Huawei managed to up their game with the advancement of the P10 series compared to the P9 series.
We’ll have to say that in terms of features, both are really good phones that don’t lose out to each other in terms of specs. However, when you consider the prices, the Huawei is definitely the frontrunner. Not only is it about 30% cheaper, it even excels in certain categories.
So if you’re looking for a winner from this comparison, we’ll have to give this round to the P10.
You can find out more about the Huawei P10 here.