Samsung Galaxy S8 review: Can this 2017 flagship still hold up in 2025?

Why you can trust this Samsung Galaxy S8 review

At Back Market, we know tech — especially older devices that still have plenty to offer. Our goal remains to make tech reliable, affordable, and sustainable. We take pride in providing honest, thorough insights to help you make informed purchasing decisions. This review is based on what truly matters (according to today's standards) — how well the Samsung Galaxy S8 holds up in everyday life, which features shine, and what to expect if you're considering giving this icon a second life. Whether you're looking for durability, functionality, or affordability, this review will provide a reliable guide so you can feel confident in your choice.

Samsung Galaxy S8 specifications 

The Samsung Galaxy S8 was special at launch. Eight years later, it is still stunning, especially at an all-time low price point. The Galaxy S8 boasts a brilliant futuristic design featuring a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display that is gorgeous to look at. Under the hood, it gets a Snapdragon 835 chip that delivers decent performance for everyday tasks. Camera enthusiasts will be happy with the 12MP rear sensor and an 8MP front camera for casual photography, even in low light conditions. The device also gets an IP68 rating, meaning it's dust-tight and water-resistant. Take a closer look at the Samsung Galaxy S8's specifications:

Design and build

Although it debuted eight years ago, the Samsung Galaxy S8 boasts a premium design that exudes elegance and sophistication. There are no edges on the Galaxy S8 — just curves in all the right places. The corners have been rounded off, and the phone fits snugly in your grip. Compared to today's flagship (the Galaxy S25), the S8 is compact and easy to use with one hand. One of its more controversial design features is the fingerprint reader next to the camera. However, with iris scanning and facial recognition available for unlocking the phone, you'll rarely need to use it — so no accidental smudges on the camera. The device gets an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and there's room at the bottom edge for a headphone jack, USB-C charging port, and a speaker. You'll find the Galaxy S8 in Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Arctic Silver, and Orchid Gray, all wrapped in durable Gorilla Glass for extra protection.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with a 2960 x 1440 Infinity Display. The 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display was ahead of its time during launch, delivering rich colors, deep blacks, and vibrant visuals. Although newer devices offer smooth 120Hz refresh rates, the Galaxy S8 remains at 60Hz — the same as the non-Pro models of the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16. Despite this, the S8's display still delivers crisp visuals and an immersive viewing experience. There are no visibility problems outdoors, though its 1,000 nits of peak brightness falls slightly short of modern standards, and you might struggle to see in direct sunlight. The Galaxy S8 has no physical home button at the front; it features a digital home button built into the glass, complete with haptic feedback. The lack of a physical home button means the top and bottom bezels are noticeably slim, giving it a sleek, edge-to-edge design. The S8 predates the introduction of the punch-hole camera design, and the front camera is included within the top bezel. 

Camera

Unlike modern phones, the Samsung Galaxy S8 features a single rear camera. The Galaxy S8 has a single 12MP wide-angle camera at the back, while the front has an 8MP wide camera and a 2MP iris scanner. The rear camera can shoot 4K videos at 30fps with decent stabilization, while the front camera can capture videos at 1440p resolution. Back in 2017, this camera setup was competitive, with the Galaxy S8 offering higher front-camera video resolution than some rival devices like the iPhone X. 

However, as camera technology has improved significantly since then, the Galaxy S8's camera is considered somewhat outdated compared to today's standards. Still, the Galaxy S8 can capture vibrant and detailed shots in good lighting conditions. The dynamic range is impressive, but highlights can sometimes get blown out compared to modern devices, and shadows may lack detail. The front camera is still great for selfies and social media use, and although the Galaxy S8 offers iris scanning and facial recognition, the latter can be tricked with a photo.

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip. While this chip was powerful in 2017, it doesn't quite meet today's standards. This is primarily due to the advancements made in transistor technology that make modern chips more powerful and efficient. The Galaxy S8 also has 4GB of RAM and at least 64GB of storage. While the RAM was generous at launch, it feels limited in 2025, as more and more apps are demanding more memory. 

Despite all this, the Galaxy S8 is still usable today. When performing tasks like emailing, texting, and streaming media, it offers seamless speed and animations, ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience. The Galaxy S8 runs on Samsung's custom software built of Android 7.0, offering a swiping app drawer and a clean overall look. The S8 also features Bixby, Samsung's virtual assistant that functions similarly to Google Assistant.

Battery life

Even at launch, the Samsung Galaxy S8's battery left much to be desired. This was, and remains to be, one of the weak points of the Galaxy S8. The device features a 3,000mAh battery that provides decent battery life, though it is still far from the capabilities of a modern one. While it can last almost a full day with moderate use, heavier tasks like extensive screen time, video streaming, and frequent video shooting will drain it quickly. However, the S8 tries to compensate for its average battery life with its fast-charging capabilities. The phone's fast charging feature provides a quick and convenient solution to low battery concerns.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 pros and cons

Just like any other smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is not perfect. However, it has a lot going for it. It was revolutionary when it launched; even today, it still does a great job with the basics. The large, almost bezel-less display is truly iconic and beautiful, and the display quality is excellent. On the other hand, the fingerprint reader's positioning isn't the best, and the average battery life leaves much to be desired. With its strengths and weaknesses in mind, let's look at what the Galaxy S8 gets right and where it shows its age. 

How to buy a budget Samsung Galaxy S8 

The Samsung Galaxy S8 remains a capable smartphone eight years after its launch. While it cannot compete with the latest flagships, it still delivers an excellent mix of design, display quality, performance, and innovative features. Getting an affordable Samsung Galaxy S8 can be tricky, as Samsung no longer stocks it, leaving third-party retailers as the only option. Grabbing this icon from such retailers at a discount often means waiting for major sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. 

What if we told you that you don't have to wait? What if you could get a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S8 at a discount right now? That's where Back Market comes in. Our discounts are available year-round, with our smartphones available at 30% to 50% off compared to the price of a new one. Additionally, every purchase comes with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day return period for total peace of mind. Sound too good to be true? Here's what one customer had to say about us:

"I love Back Market, It truly is a great place to shop for discounted refurbished electronics, I have purchased 3 smartphones from you all, And have been highly satisfied with all 3 of them, I plan on purchasing another phone next year, Thank you Back Market, I will continue to shop with you all for years to come, Keep up the good work"

Billy B. - Purchased on February 26, 2025

Why buy refurbished

Buying refurbished smartphones is a smart move for both your wallet and the planet. At Back Market, we sell Verified Refurbished devices. These are devices that have been professionally restored by industry experts. Before we list any devices on our product pages, they are repaired, cleaned, and tested to ensure that they’re restored to premium functionality. Parts like screens and batteries may be replaced to ensure optimal performance, and all of our devices come with a minimum of 80% battery health and 100% charging capacity. And for your peace of mind, you get a 1-year warranty and a 30-day return period should you change your mind about us. 

As mentioned earlier, our mission is simple — to make tech reliable, affordable, and sustainable. Our devices offer premium quality at the lowest prices and help contribute to a greener planet. Buying a refurbished device reduces the need for new manufacturing, which accounts for about 80% of a smartphone's carbon emissions. It also keeps e-waste out of landfills and supports a circular economy. But don't take it from us. Take it from this Reddit user who loved their experience shopping with us:

"I've bought 3 phones and a laptop off Back Market. All great. They have 3 grades - Fair, Good, Excellent, or something like that. My laptop and recent phone were "Fair" and supposed to have light cosmetic damage. I've had a good look but can't see anything wrong with them."

Trade in your old tech for cash

There's still life left in your old electronics. Don't let old tech clutter your home and gather dust when you could trade them in for cash. Back Market's Trade-in program provides an easy and sustainable way of parting with your old devices. In just three simple steps, you can turn your old tech into cash, and it works like magic. Start with an online assessment to get an instant quote for your device, ship it to us for free, and once it's verified, you get paid. See? Just like magic. 

Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S8 was released in April 2017, and when it first hit the shelves, it was available for $750.00. The Galaxy S8 is not the shining star it once was, and with carriers and major retailers pulling it from their shelves, finding one now means turning to third-party retailers or the used market. Fortunately, you can still grab a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S8 from Back Market, and here are some of the available options. 

*Back Market prices taken at the date of publication – these are subject to change.

Final thoughts: The Galaxy S8 still delivers a decent smartphone experience in 2025

The Samsung Galaxy S8 might be clocking eight years, but it is far from obsolete. The Galaxy S8 was a revolutionary device when it first launched, and looking back, it is easy to appreciate why. Its sleek, compact design with curved glass and an almost bezel-less Infinity Display is stunning even by today's standards. The Super AMOLED screen with a 60Hz refresh rate continues to impress, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, even though its 1,000 nits peak brightness might struggle in direct sunlight. The S8's 12MP camera still delivers sharp and vibrant photos and videos, while its Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB of RAM offers a smooth experience for everyday tasks. 

However, not everything is excellent in this icon, as its average 3,000mAh battery and awkward fingerprint sensor placement leave much to be desired. Overall, there's no denying that the Samsung Galaxy S8 was ahead of its time, and it remains a viable option in 2025 for anyone who appreciates classic tech.