Samsung Galaxy A8x: Naming Clarification & Key Features

Samsung Galaxy A8x (Note: Clarification on Naming & Identity)

The Samsung Galaxy A8x is often mislabeled; Samsung never released a smartphone officially named “Galaxy A8x.” The confusion typically stems from three closely related devices: the Galaxy A8 Star (SM-G885F/DS, sometimes referred to as “A8x” in regional markets), the Galaxy A8s (SM-G8870, a 2018 notch-display variant), and the Galaxy A8 (2018) series. Below is a detailed breakdown of the Galaxy A8 Star (the most commonly associated “A8x” device)—a mid-range smartphone released in August 2018, positioned between the Galaxy A8 and A9 series, focusing on an immersive Infinity Display, dual rear cameras, and balanced performance for young professionals and media enthusiasts.

Key Hardware Specifications (Galaxy A8 Star / “A8x” SM-G885F)

Component	Details
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm process); Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold + 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver); Adreno 512 GPU
Display	6.28-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display; 1080×2220 pixels (392 ppi); 16M colors; Gorilla Glass 3 protection; 18.5:9 aspect ratio; 430 nits peak brightness
Memory & Storage	6GB LPDDR4x RAM; 64GB internal storage (eMMC 5.1); microSD card slot (expandable up to 256GB); non-removable storage
Camera System	Rear Cameras: Dual setup—16 MP (f/1.7, PDAF, LED flash)+24 MP (f/1.7, depth sensor); 4K video recording (30 fps), 1080p@30/60 fpsFront Camera: 24 MP (f/2.0 aperture); 1080p video recording; AI portrait mode; face unlock support
Battery & Charging	3700 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery; 15W Adaptive Fast Charging (Micro-USB port); no wireless charging
Network & Connectivity	4G LTE (FDD/TDD); Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz); Bluetooth 5.0; NFC (Samsung Pay support); GPS/GLONASS/Galileo; 3.5mm headphone jack
Design & Build	Metal unibody frame; dimensions: 162.4×77.0×7.55 mm; weight: 188 g; no IP rating; color options: Midnight Black, Ivory White
Sensors	In-display fingerprint sensor (optical), accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, magnetometer
Operating System	Android 8.0 Oreo + Samsung Experience 9.0; officially upgradable to Android 10 + One UI 2.0

Core Features & User Experience

1. Infinity Display & Visual Immersion

The 6.28-inch Super AMOLED Infinity Display eliminated the physical home button, maximizing screen-to-body ratio (~84%) for media consumption and gaming.
Vibrant colors, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles made it ideal for streaming HD content (Netflix, YouTube) and casual gaming (e.g., PUBG Mobile).

2. Dual Camera System for Creative Photography

The 16 MP main sensor captured sharp daylight shots, while the 24 MP depth sensor enabled bokeh effects and portrait mode with adjustable background blur.
4K video recording and slow-motion (1080p@120 fps) catered to content creators seeking mid-range video capabilities.

3. Performance & Multitasking

The Snapdragon 660 chipset balanced power and efficiency, handling daily tasks (social media, web browsing) and light gaming without overheating.
6GB RAM supported smooth multitasking (split-screen mode, app switching) and reduced lag in memory-intensive apps.

4. Battery Life & Charging

The 3700 mAh battery delivered up to 14 hours of mixed usage (web + video + calls), with 15W fast charging refueling 50% in ~30 minutes.

5. Security & Software

Optical in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock provided convenient security options.
Samsung Experience 9.0 added customizations (theme store, edge panels) and productivity tools (Samsung Notes, Samsung Pay via NFC).

Market Positioning & Legacy

Target Audience: Young professionals, social media users, and budget-conscious consumers seeking flagship-like displays and cameras without the premium price tag (~$500 at launch).
Competitive Edge: Outperformed mid-range rivals (e.g., Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, Oppo R15 Pro) with its Super AMOLED display and dual-camera setup.
Naming Confusion: Post-launch, regional retailers occasionally labeled the A8 Star as “A8x,” leading to long-term misidentification. The A8s (2018) further muddied the waters with its notch design and similar specs.

Discontinuation & Post-Support

Discontinued in 2020 after the launch of the Galaxy A51/A71 series.
Received final official update (Android 10 + One UI 2.0) in 2020; no security patches after 2021. Custom ROMs (e.g., LineageOS) extend functionality for enthusiasts.