The Samsung Galaxy S8, released in 2017, represents a high point in Samsung's design and display technology. Now, years later, it faces a challenge from the Meizu V8 Pro, a more recent device aiming to deliver a functional smartphone experience at a significantly lower price point. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, helping you determine if the S8's legacy still holds up or if the V8 Pro offers a better value proposition in today's market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing affordability and a modern (though basic) experience, the Meizu V8 Pro is the better choice. While the Galaxy S8 boasts a superior display and potentially faster performance depending on the region, its age impacts battery health and software support. The V8 Pro offers a functional, if less refined, experience at a fraction of the cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - China | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA - China | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, September. Released 2018, September | 2017, March 29. Released 2017, April 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 147.5 x 72.7 x 8.1 mm (5.81 x 2.86 x 0.32 in) | 148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (5.86 x 2.68 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 159 g (5.61 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1440 x 2960 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~570 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~78.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.8 inches, 84.8 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| | - | 3D Touch (home button only)
Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Mongoose M2 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) - EMEAOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) - USA & China |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Exynos 8895 (10 nm) - EMEAQualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) - USA & China |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G71 MP20 - EMEAAdreno 540 - USA & China |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), Flyme UI | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.0 or UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/2.2, AF
5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm, AF
2 MP (dedicated iris scanner camera) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.9 | - |
| Video | - | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | - | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
ANT+
Bixby natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 67 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 20 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable (11.55 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold, Rose Pink, Burgundy Red |
| Models | - | SM-G950FD, SM-G950W, SM-G950S, SM-G950K, SM-G950L, SM-G9500, SM-G950A, SM-G950P, SM-G950T, SM-G950U, SM-G950V, SM-G950F, SM-G950U1, SM-G950N, SC-02J, SCV36, SM-G950, G950F |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.44 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -92.8dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 84h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.768 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 72dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 199022 (v7)
GeekBench: 6656 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Meizu V8 Pro
- Significantly more affordable
- Newer device with fresher battery
- Larger display size
- Much slower processor
- Inferior display technology
- Limited software support
Samsung Galaxy S8
- Superior display quality (AMOLED)
- Faster processor (Exynos/Snapdragon)
- Wireless charging and Quick Charge 2.0
- Aging battery with reduced capacity
- Limited software updates
- Higher price (even used)
Display Comparison
Both the Meizu V8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S8 feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), and 4.768 contrast ratio in sunlight, suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the S8’s Super AMOLED panel, a hallmark of Samsung’s display technology, likely delivers superior color accuracy and vibrancy compared to the V8 Pro’s LCD. The S8’s smaller size (5.8 inches vs. the V8 Pro’s 5.99 inches) also contributes to a higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper image. While the V8 Pro offers a larger screen, the S8’s panel technology is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are limited for both devices, but the Galaxy S8 likely holds an advantage in image quality. Samsung’s image processing algorithms were highly regarded at the time of the S8’s release. While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the S8’s potentially larger sensor and more advanced image signal processor (ISP) would result in better low-light performance and dynamic range. The V8 Pro’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but won’t match the S8’s capabilities. The presence of OIS on the S8 (likely) further enhances image stability.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S8, equipped with either the Exynos 8895 (EMEA) or Snapdragon 835 (USA & China) chipset, significantly outperforms the Meizu V8 Pro’s MediaTek MT6762 Helio P22. The Exynos 8895 features an octa-core CPU with faster Mongoose M2 cores (2.3 GHz) alongside Cortex-A53 cores (1.7 GHz), while the Snapdragon 835 boasts Kryo cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and 1.9 GHz. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the S8. The Helio P22, with its Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, is geared towards basic tasks and will struggle with demanding applications and games. The 10nm process node used in both the S8’s chipsets is also more efficient than the 12nm node of the Helio P22, potentially leading to better thermal management.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 84 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Galaxy S8’s battery has aged significantly since its release, likely experiencing reduced capacity. The V8 Pro, being a newer device, benefits from a fresh battery. The S8 supports 15W wired charging with Quick Charge 2.0 and Qi wireless charging (market dependent), features absent on the V8 Pro. While the V8 Pro’s battery life may be comparable initially, the S8’s faster charging and wireless charging capabilities offer convenience advantages.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu V8 Pro if you need a functional, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. It's ideal for users on a tight budget or those seeking a secondary device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S8 if you prioritize a premium display experience, potentially faster processing speeds (especially the Snapdragon variant), and wireless charging, and are willing to accept the risks associated with an older device – namely, declining battery health and limited software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 8895 in the Galaxy S8 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 8895 was known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. While not a catastrophic issue, users might experience reduced performance after extended gaming. The Snapdragon 835 variant generally handles heat more efficiently, but both chips are showing their age and may not perform as well as modern processors.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Meizu V8 Pro actually useful for detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited detail and image quality. While it can capture close-up shots, don't expect professional-level results. The image quality will likely be soft and lack sharpness compared to the main camera.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy S8 still receive security updates in 2024?
No, Samsung has officially ended software support for the Galaxy S8. This means it no longer receives security updates, making it vulnerable to potential security threats. Using the device carries inherent risks.
❓ What kind of performance can I expect from the Helio P22 in the Meizu V8 Pro when running popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
The Helio P22 is sufficient for basic tasks like running Facebook, WhatsApp, and browsing the web. However, you may experience some lag or slowdown when multitasking or using more demanding apps. It's not designed for heavy gaming or intensive applications.
