Released in 2018, the Samsung Galaxy A8+ and A7 represent Samsung’s attempt to deliver a premium experience at a more accessible price point. While both devices share the same Exynos 7885 chipset, subtle differences in display size, battery endurance, and overall design cater to slightly different user preferences. This comparison dissects these nuances to help you determine which model offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) emerges as the slightly better choice. Its 93-hour endurance rating provides peace of mind, offsetting the A8+'s marginally larger screen. Both phones offer identical performance, making battery life the key differentiator.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A750F/DS, A750FN/DS |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - A750F/DS, A750FN/DS |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - A750G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, December. Released 2018, January | 2018, September 20. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 159.8 x 76.8 x 7.5 mm (6.29 x 3.02 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 91.4 cm2 (~75.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 91.4 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) | Exynos 7885 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 | Mali-G71 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8”, 1.12µm, PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 24 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP, f/1.9, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+
Samsung Pay |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Music play | Up to 73 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 23 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, orchid grey, gold, blue | Black, blue, gold, pink |
| Models | SM-A730F | SM-A750F, SM-A750FN, SM-A750G, SM-A750GN, SM-A750C, SM-A750X, SM-A750N |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 93h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.324 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 79dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 123883 (v7)
GeekBench: 4446 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018)
- Larger display for immersive media consumption
- Identical processing power to the A7
- Premium design aesthetic (subjective)
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the A7
- Potentially more prone to thermal throttling under heavy load
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018)
- Excellent 93-hour battery endurance
- More compact form factor for one-handed use
- Identical processing power to the A8+
- Smaller display compared to the A8+
- May not be ideal for extensive media viewing
Display Comparison
Both the Galaxy A8+ and A7 (2018) feature Super AMOLED displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominally) and a sunlight contrast ratio of 4.324. This indicates excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. However, the A8+ boasts a larger screen size, offering a more immersive viewing experience. While both likely share similar color accuracy profiles typical of Samsung’s AMOLED panels, the A8+'s larger surface area could potentially lead to slightly more noticeable color shifting at extreme viewing angles. The lack of high refresh rate technology on either device means scrolling and animations won't be as fluid as on newer models.
Camera Comparison
Both the A8+ and A7 (2018) are equipped with photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor specifications are absent. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both feature a primary sensor around 16MP, with a secondary depth sensor for portrait mode effects. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will likely be similar, leaning towards Samsung’s typically vibrant and saturated color profiles. Low-light performance will be a key differentiator, potentially favoring the device with a slightly larger primary sensor aperture.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Exynos 7885 (14nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This means both phones deliver virtually identical performance in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The 14nm manufacturing process, while efficient for its time, isn’t as power-efficient as newer nodes, potentially contributing to thermal throttling during extended, demanding tasks. RAM capacity isn't specified, but both likely feature 4GB or 6GB, sufficient for multitasking in 2018. The identical chipset configuration means users won't experience a noticeable performance difference between the two.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A7 (2018) holds a significant advantage in battery endurance, achieving a rating of 93 hours in our testing. While the A8+’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the A7’s superior endurance suggests a smaller battery size on the A8+. Both devices support 18W wired charging, offering reasonable charging speeds for the time. However, the A7’s longer endurance means users will likely need to charge less frequently, making it the better choice for those prioritizing battery life. The A8+'s larger display, while visually appealing, will inevitably consume more power.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) if you prioritize a larger display for media consumption and don't mind potentially shorter battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) if you value all-day battery performance and a more compact form factor, making it ideal for one-handed use and users on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7885 chip in these phones overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7885, built on a 14nm process, can experience thermal throttling during extended gaming. While capable of handling moderate gaming, demanding titles at high settings may lead to reduced performance as the chip heats up. Neither phone features advanced cooling solutions, so shorter gaming sessions are recommended.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either the A8+ or A7 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing feature. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in images with limited detail and sharpness. It's best to rely on the primary camera for most photography needs.
❓ Can either of these phones reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
While both phones *can* run PUBG Mobile, achieving a consistent 60fps experience will depend on the graphics settings. Lowering the graphics settings to medium or low is recommended to maintain a smoother frame rate and avoid overheating. Expect occasional frame drops during intense firefights.
