Samsung Electronics launches comeback with unprecedented screen sized Galaxy S8 and S8+

SAMSUNG has launched its comeback, unveiling two phones with unprecedented screen sizes, a version of Siri and several wow-factor accessories.

THE world’s biggest smartphone maker has launched its comeback in New York.

Samsung unveiled two smartphones overnight which boast unprecedented screen sizes, a new artificially intelligent voice assistant to take on Apple’s Siri, and accessories that stream live video and turn the phones into desktop computers.

The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones, due in Australia on April 28, will be the first to follow the company’s disastrous Galaxy Note 7 that was recalled worldwide after its faulty batteries caused a series of fires.

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The new Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ feature two of the largest screens, 5.8 and 6.2 inches respectively, in its history. Picture: Samsung Electronics

Technology analysts warned a lot is riding on the success and safety of the new phones as the company might not be able to fully recover from another fire hazard.

Samsung Electronics’ mobile communications business president DJ Koh unveiled the smartphones at New York’s Lincoln Centre this morning, saying the devices represented “a new era of smartphone design” and a step towards winning back customers after the recalls, estimated to cost more than $US5 billion.

“The Galaxy S8 is our testament to regaining your trust by redefining what’s possible in safety and marks a new milestone in Samsung’s smartphone legacy,” Mr Koh said.

Bixby offers four main features: Voice, Vision, Reminder and Home. Read: https://t.co/yhh5buXjf1 pic.twitter.com/ynNvl2xiVh

— Samsung Electronics (@Samsung) March 29, 2017

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ smartphones will feature two of the largest screens in the company’s history, at 5.8 and 6.2 inches, achieved by reducing borders on all sides of the phones and removing physical home buttons.

Samsung Australia mobile vice-president Richard Fink said despite large screens, the phones were narrower than other handsets and could be used comfortably in one hand.

“Big screens do very well in the Australian market but people don’t really want to carry around a big phablet or a small tablet in their pockets,” he said.

“(This phone is about) a balance between being able to deliver a big-screen experience in a phone that is not much bigger than our Galaxy S7.”

Meet Bixby, Samsung’s new artificially intelligent voice assistant, said to be smarter than Apple’s Siri and Google’s Assistant. Picture: Samsung Electronics

Samsung’s smartphones will also feature a new artificially intelligent voice assistant named Bixby that is designed to follow more commands than Apple’s Siri or Google’s Assistant, understand context, ask follow-up questions, and will be ready to use with 10 Samsung apps at launch.

The company will also launch a new 4K Gear 360 camera to stream live virtual reality-style video from the smartphone to Facebook and YouTube, and a phone dock named DeX that can be plugged into a keyboard and monitor and used as a desktop computer.

The phones’ front cameras will also receive upgrades, from five to eight megapixels with autofocus, the 12-megapixel rear cameras will receive a new Anti-blur mode for fast-moving subjects, and the phones will also feature water-resistant bodies and iris scanners for security.

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The new Samsung Galaxy S8 has a 4K Gear 360 camera to stream live virtual reality-style video. Picture: Samsung Electronics

The phone dock DeX can be plugged into a keyboard and monitor and used as a desktop computer. Picture: Samsung Electronics

Mr Fink said he expected some Note 7 buyers to return to Samsung for the Galaxy S8 and S8+, which will sell for $1199 and $1349, but others would continue to wait for the Samsung’s Note brand to return.

“I still get Note 7 customers writing to me about when the next Note is coming out,” he said. “I still think there’s a really loyal base of our customers sitting out there, waiting for the next one.”

A few examples of the enhancements users will get with #GalaxyS8 See: https://t.co/Uc3Poz2WXg pic.twitter.com/3Wzv8Q4YPb

— Samsung Electronics (@Samsung) March 29, 2017

Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said Samsung typically sells many more Galaxy S smartphones than those in the Note range, making today’s launch critical to Samsung’s future.

“This really has to go without a hitch,” Mr Fadaghi said. “If we do see a repeat of the Note 7 challenges the consequences for Samsung are substantially higher.”

Forrester vice-president Thomas Husson said the Galaxy S8’s success was “key” to Samsung’s recovery, particularly as it’s just months before Apple is due to launch its 10th anniversary iPhone.

Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson travelled to New York as a guest of Samsung.