Samsung has its own advantages, though. For example, Samsung Pay works with nearly all credit card readers and terminals, not just those that are compatible with Android Pay or Apple Pay.
A small ecosystem of S8 accessories also provides useful functionality. Samsung Dex lets you hook the S8 up to a monitor and keyboard, to mirror Android onto a bigger screen for productivity and games. The Samsung Gear VR headset and a touch controller lets you use the phone for fun gaming experiences.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S8 is available for sale unlocked and from carriers at a price that ranges between $750 to $800 depending on where you buy it.
The iPhone 8 is available for pre-order now (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Apple Store), and will begin shipping Sept. 22. Prices starts at $699 for the 64GB model and $849 for 256GB. That's less than the $1,000+ iPhone X, but it's about the same as what you'll spend for the S8.
Generally, if you're tied to Apple's ecosystem, like a more compact phone, and want to take advantage of the powerful new A11 Bionic processor, the iPhone 8 looks to be a great choice. On the other hand, if you want a futuristic-looking phone with a gorgeous display, premium features, and excellent camera performance, you won't do better than the Galaxy S8. We'll compare both phones again when we get our hands on the iPhone 8 in the coming months, so stay tuned for more.
