Overview

Released in December 2018, the Samsung Galaxy A8s (SM-G887) holds a distinct spot in Samsung's product timeline as the first device to ship with the 'Infinity-O' punch-hole display cutout. Intended as a testing ground for cutout technology before it debuted on the flagship Galaxy S10 series, the A8s combined upper mid-range performance with a fresh, edge-to-edge aesthetic. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor alongside 128GB of internal storage and up to 8GB of RAM, it delivered a smooth user experience upon launch.

Looking at the device today, the Galaxy A8s remains an interesting legacy model. While it lacks modern 5G connectivity and recent Android software updates, its baseline hardware remains functional for light daily utility. For technical details and hardware specs, check out our Galaxy A8s device page.

Design and build

The Galaxy A8s is constructed with a Gorilla Glass 3 front panel, a curved Gorilla Glass 5 back cover, and a sturdy aluminum middle frame. Weighing in at 173 grams, it feels balanced and well-constructed in the hand. The headline feature at launch was its 6.4-inch PLS LCD screen featuring a circular camera cutout in the upper-left corner.

Unlike most Galaxy A series devices that utilize self-emissive Super AMOLED displays, Samsung opted for a PLS LCD panel on the A8s. While color accuracy and brightness are decent, black levels are noticeably lighter than AMOLED alternatives. Additionally, the A8s was notably one of Samsung's early smartphones to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack, a design choice that signaled a broader industry shift.

Everyday performance

Equipped with the 10nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 octa-core chipset paired with 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the Galaxy A8s delivers respectable performance for basic daily tasks. App loading times, light social media navigation, and HD video playback remain fluid. However, demanding modern 3D games and heavy multitasking will push the aging mid-range processor to its thermal limits.

On the imaging front, the triple-camera setup consists of a 24 MP primary wide lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 5 MP depth sensor. In good lighting, the primary camera produces clean, detailed photos, and the dedicated 2x telephoto lens offers genuine utility over digital cropping. Low-light photography, however, suffers from elevated noise and reduced dynamic range.

Battery, durability, and longevity

The phone relies on a modest 3400 mAh non-removable Lithium-Ion battery. When new, this capacity comfortably lasted a full day under moderate usage. Today, natural chemical aging means most original batteries struggle to maintain consistent output, leading to sudden drop-offs in charge or unexpected thermal throttling under load.

In terms of physical durability, the aluminum frame provides solid structural rigidity. However, glass back panels are susceptible to cracking upon hard impacts on solid surfaces. Replacing the front panel requires handling the display assembly carefully, as the PLS LCD panel uses a backlighting layer that requires precise alignment during servicing.

Common issues owners hit

Long-term owners of the Galaxy A8s often report a few characteristic hardware vulnerabilities:

• Battery Degradation and Swelling: Severe capacity loss over time can cause the battery to swell, pushing outward against the rear glass panel and breaking the adhesive seal.
• Punch-Hole Display Cracks: Stress concentrations around the top-left camera cutout make the display panel particularly vulnerable to webbed cracking if dropped on that corner.
• USB-C Port Wear: The bottom USB-C port can experience loose cable connections or intermittent charging after years of insertion cycles.
• Camera Lens Blurring: The optical components in the triple camera array can develop focus hunting issues or blurriness if internal alignment shifts after drops.

If you are encountering power or display problems on your unit, explore our broader troubleshooting problems section or browse step-by-step repair guides in our guides catalog.

Who it's for

The Galaxy A8s is best suited for collectors of hardware milestones, budget-conscious users looking for a basic secondary Android phone, or tinkerers interested in keeping legacy hardware alive. It serves well as a dedicated media player or backup phone, provided the battery health remains adequate.

Bottom line

The Samsung Galaxy A8s stands as an innovative bridge between traditional notch designs and modern punch-hole displays. While its PLS LCD panel and aging 3400 mAh battery reflect its 2018 origins, its solid metal frame and Snapdragon 710 chipset still offer practical basic utility for those willing to maintain it.

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