Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy S8+ was Samsung’s large-screen flagship when it launched in 2017. At the time, its 6.2-inch Infinity Display was considered enormous, offering one of the biggest screens available on a premium smartphone.
Fast forward to 2026, and the smartphone market looks very different. What was once considered a massive display is now smaller than many modern mid-range and flagship phones.
That creates an interesting situation for buyers considering the Galaxy S8+ today.
Many people are attracted to the Galaxy S8+ because they remember it as Samsung’s "big screen" option. However, the phone is now nearly 9 years old, Samsung ended software support years ago, and certified used/refurbished inventory has become increasingly difficult to find.
Quick Verdict
No, we do not recommend buying the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in 2026.
While the Galaxy S8+ was once Samsung’s large-screen flagship, its biggest advantage no longer exists. Modern Samsung phones now offer larger displays, better performance, improved cameras, and significantly longer software support.
For example, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE features a larger 6.4-inch display than the Galaxy S8+, while also offering dramatically better performance, cameras, battery life, and years of remaining software support.
The Galaxy S8+ also suffers from the same problems as the regular Galaxy S8. Samsung officially ended support years ago, meaning the phone no longer receives Android OS upgrades or security updates.
If your goal is simply to get a larger Samsung phone, there is no need to jump all the way to an expensive Ultra model.
Instead, we recommend the Galaxy S23 FE, starting around $150+ in certified used/refurbished condition. It actually has a larger display than the Galaxy S8+, while also delivering a massive upgrade in performance, battery life, camera quality, and software support.
Galaxy S8+ in 2026
Price and Availability
One of the biggest challenges of buying a Galaxy S8+ in 2026 is availability.
Because the phone is now nearly 9 years old, certified used and refurbished inventory has become increasingly difficult to find. Most remaining devices are sold through third-party marketplaces, and overall condition can vary significantly.
Even if you find a Galaxy S8+ at a very low price, many units may have battery degradation, screen burn-in, cosmetic wear, or other signs of aging hardware.
At this point, long-term reliability becomes a major concern.
Software Support — Ended in 2021
The biggest reason we do not recommend buying the Galaxy S8+ in 2026 is software support.
Samsung officially ended software and security support for the Galaxy S8+ in 2021. The phone no longer receives Android OS upgrades or security updates.
This creates several long-term concerns.
Without security patches, the Galaxy S8+ becomes increasingly vulnerable to newly discovered Android security risks. This is particularly important for users who rely on their phones for banking, shopping, email, and work-related apps.
App compatibility is another growing issue. While many apps still work today, some newer apps may eventually stop supporting older Android versions.
As Android continues evolving, the Galaxy S8+ will become increasingly outdated and less practical as a primary smartphone.
Performance and Hardware
The Galaxy S8+ was powered by the Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895, depending on the region. These processors were flagship-level chips when the phone launched in 2017.
However, in 2026, the hardware is now clearly outdated.
The Galaxy S8+ can still handle basic tasks such as:
- Calling and texting
- Web browsing
- YouTube streaming
- Light social media use
However, users will likely notice slower app loading times, lag during multitasking, and reduced gaming performance compared to modern smartphones.
The Galaxy S8+ also lacks many modern features, including:
- 5G connectivity
- 120Hz refresh rate display
- Modern AI processing
- Advanced battery optimization
- Current-generation camera technologies
Overall, the Galaxy S8+ no longer provides the smooth flagship experience that users expect in 2026.
The "Large Display" Advantage Is Gone
The Galaxy S8+ was originally marketed as Samsung's large-screen flagship.
When it launched in 2017, its 6.2-inch display was considered huge. For many buyers, that was one of the phone's biggest selling points.
However, smartphone displays have grown significantly over the years.
In 2026, many mid-range and flagship smartphones now feature displays that are equal to or larger than the Galaxy S8+.
As a result, the Galaxy S8+ no longer offers a meaningful size advantage over modern phones.
Camera
The Galaxy S8+ features a 12MP rear camera that was excellent during its time.
In good lighting conditions, the phone can still capture decent photos for casual use. Colors remain reasonably accurate, and image quality is acceptable for social media and everyday snapshots.
However, smartphone cameras have improved dramatically since 2017.
Compared to modern Samsung phones, the Galaxy S8+ struggles with:
- Night photography
- Low-light detail
- Video stabilization
- Zoom quality
- Portrait photography
- AI image processing
While still usable, the camera no longer feels competitive by modern standards.
Battery
Battery condition is another major concern for the Galaxy S8+ in 2026.
Most Galaxy S8+ devices are now nearly 9 years old, which means battery degradation is unavoidable.
Many remaining units may experience:
- Shorter battery life
- Slower charging speeds
- Unexpected shutdowns
- Overheating during extended use
Even replacing the battery may not fully solve the problem because the rest of the hardware is also heavily aged.
For everyday use, battery reliability alone is a major reason why the Galaxy S8+ is difficult to recommend in 2026.
Better Alternative — Galaxy S23 FE
If you are considering buying a Galaxy S8+ in 2026, we recommend getting the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE instead.
The recommendation may seem surprising at first because the Galaxy S8+ was originally Samsung's large-screen flagship. However, smartphone displays have become much larger over the years.
In fact, the Galaxy S23 FE features a larger 6.4-inch display compared to the Galaxy S8+'s 6.2-inch display.
That means you can get a larger screen, dramatically better performance, better cameras, longer software support, and modern features without spending extra money on a Galaxy Ultra model.
Galaxy S8+ vs Galaxy S23 FE Specs Comparison
| Category |
Galaxy S8+ |
Galaxy S23 FE |
| Release Year |
2017 |
2023 |
| Processor |
Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895 |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200 |
| RAM |
4GB |
8GB |
| Storage |
64GB |
128GB / 256GB |
| Display Size |
6.2-inch Super AMOLED |
6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Refresh Rate |
60Hz |
120Hz |
| Rear Cameras |
12MP |
50MP + 12MP + 8MP |
| Front Camera |
8MP |
10MP |
| Battery |
3,500mAh |
4,500mAh |
| 5G Support |
No |
Yes |
| Software Support |
Ended in 2021 |
Supported Until 2028 |
Recent Price Drop Makes Galaxy S23 FE an Excellent Deal
One of the biggest reasons we recommend the Galaxy S23 FE is its recent price drop.
Certified used and refurbished Galaxy S23 FE models now start at around $150+, making them one of the best Samsung values available in 2026.
For comparison, the regular Galaxy S23 still starts closer to $190+ in certified used/refurbished condition.
The Galaxy S23 FE offers a much better balance between price, performance, display size, and software support.
You No Longer Need an Ultra Model for a Big Screen
One of the most interesting things about the Galaxy S8+ in 2026 is that its biggest selling point is no longer unique.
Back in 2017, a 6.2-inch display was considered enormous. Today, many mainstream Samsung phones are larger.
The Galaxy S23 FE's 6.4-inch display is actually larger than the Galaxy S8+, while also offering a smoother 120Hz refresh rate and much better brightness.
Because of that, there is no need to jump to an expensive Galaxy Ultra model just to get a larger screen.
Much Longer Software Support
The biggest advantage of the Galaxy S23 FE is software support.
Unlike the Galaxy S8+, which stopped receiving updates in 2021, the Galaxy S23 FE is expected to receive Android OS upgrades until 2027 and security updates until 2028.
This provides much better long-term security, app compatibility, and overall value.
Massive Improvements in Performance, Camera, and Battery
The Galaxy S23 FE delivers major improvements across the board.
- Much faster performance
- Better gaming experience
- Improved multitasking
- Longer battery life
- Superior cameras
- 5G connectivity
- Modern AI features
For most users, the difference between the Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy S23 FE is immediately noticeable.
Considering the affordable pricing and much longer remaining lifespan, the Galaxy S23 FE is simply a smarter purchase in 2026.
Conclusion — Is Galaxy S8+ Worth Buying in 2026?
No, we do not recommend buying the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in 2026.
While the Galaxy S8+ was once Samsung’s large-screen flagship, its biggest advantage no longer exists. Modern Samsung phones now offer larger displays, better performance, better cameras, longer battery life, and significantly longer software support.
The biggest concern is software support. Samsung officially ended support for the Galaxy S8+ in 2021, meaning the phone no longer receives Android OS upgrades or security updates.
The hardware is also showing its age. Performance, battery life, camera quality, and app compatibility are all noticeably behind modern Samsung devices.
In addition, finding reliable certified used and refurbished Galaxy S8+ inventory has become increasingly difficult because the phone is now nearly 9 years old.
We recommend the Galaxy S23 FE, which starts at around $150+ in certified used/refurbished condition. It actually offers a larger display than the Galaxy S8+, along with dramatically better performance, cameras, battery life, and software support.
FAQ
How old is the Samsung Galaxy S8+ in 2026?
The Samsung Galaxy S8+ was released in 2017, making it around 9 years old in 2026.
Does the Galaxy S8+ still get software updates?
No. Samsung officially ended software and security support for the Galaxy S8+ in 2021.
Is Galaxy S8+ still usable in 2026?
Yes, the Galaxy S8+ can still handle basic tasks such as calling, texting, web browsing, YouTube, and light social media. However, the phone is no longer recommended for long-term daily use because of aging hardware and lack of software updates.
Is the Galaxy S8+ still considered a large phone?
Not really. While the Galaxy S8+ was considered a large-screen phone in 2017, many modern Samsung phones now feature displays that are just as large or even larger.
Does Galaxy S8+ support 5G?
No. The Galaxy S8+ does not support 5G connectivity.
Why is the Galaxy S8+ difficult to find refurbished?
Because the Galaxy S8+ is now nearly 9 years old, certified used and refurbished inventory has become increasingly limited. Many remaining units have aging batteries and older hardware.
What is the best alternative to the Galaxy S8+?
We recommend the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. It features a larger display than the Galaxy S8+, along with better performance, cameras, battery life, 5G support, and years of remaining software support.
Sale
