Samsung's Galaxy S8 took the smartphone world by storm with its sleek new look and powerhouse specs, so here's your chance to figure out what all the fuss is about without blowing up your wallet. This page is for savings on huge data, budget plans, or simply the best overall value in a contract in Australia, but if you're after the UK or US, head to the best Galaxy S8 plan in the UK or the best cheap Samsung Galaxy S8 deals in the US.
If you're keen on the slickness of the Galaxy S8 but need something slightly bigger, check out our Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus plans here, or check out our Galaxy Note 8 plans if even that isn't enough phone for you.
On this page you'll find the best overall value, best budget option and best big data contract across the major carriers, as well as each of these carriers best plan, so read on for some sweet savings.
Hitting a wall with your data is a pain, especially if you do so unintentionally because of a bunch of background apps sucked down those precious bytes.
To help give data-conscious Android owners stay below their cap, Google offers its newest experimental app, Triangle.
Currently undergoing testing in the Philippines, Triangle lets you see exactly how much data you're using and which apps are demanding the biggest shares of it.
From there, Triangle can also activate a "Data Saver" feature that pumps the brakes on unwanted data usage or only allows certain apps 10 or 30 minutes of access to keep them from drying up the proverbial data well over time.
Granted, Android owners can look up their apps' data usage manually without having to download Triangle, but the app seemingly helps save time (and less tech-savvy users) by tracking and controlling all that information in one place.
Save data...and get some back?
For prepaid members of Globe or Smart, two major telecoms in the Philippines, Triangle gets a lot more interesting. In addition to tracking usage and Data Saver, these members also get to check their prepaid data balance and even earn data back with Google's new app.
By using or downloading certain suggested apps, Triangle claims to give out "data rewards" that seemingly give users back extra megabytes.
While a dream come true for those struggling to stay under their data cap, how the 'free' data works isn't exactly clear. Our best guess is that the data is provided by Globe and Smart through a deal with Google, but we can't confirm that at this time.
It's worth noting that in the US, AT&T attempted a similar program, Sponsored Data, back in 2014 that offered toll-free cellular access to download certain apps. However, the program caught ire of the Federal Communications Commission at the time, since service providers giving special access to certain companies over others raises concerns about net neutrality.
Users outside the Philippines can access Triangle via an APK Mirror and try the app out for themselves, as some features seem to work internationally, according to Android Central.
In the meantime, we have contacted Google to learn more about Triangle, how it handles gratis data, and plans to expand to new regions. We will update this story as we learn more.
Google is the latest to join the mid-year bargain bonanza (see: here, here and here), today launching its Google Play summer sale. This means massive discounts on movies, apps, games, music, TV shows and books.
Running now through July 6 for apps, games, books and music and now through July 13 for movies and TV shows in select regions, Google Play shoppers will find prices so good, they may need a pair of sunglasses to view them.
For starters, Google is taking movie rentals down to just $0.99/£0.99/AU$0.99. Though it's limited to one rental per customer, you can choose any title from Google Play's movie library, including new releases like Beauty and The Beast, Logan, John Wick: Chapter 2, and Get Out. Each of these movies and other discounted flicks are normally $4.99 in the US.
If you've been itching to try a new app but don't want to pay full-price for a subscription, Google is also taking 50% off for new, one-year subscriptions for select apps.
If books are more your bag, then you'll like Google Play's deals on books, ranging from 50% to 80% off. From romance to thrillers to sci-fi, there's a digital paperback for everyone.
Like movies, full seasons of Google Play TV shows are also seeing prices drop to $0.99/£0.99/AU$0.99 as well as some show prices being slashed completely in half.
The deals are only available for a short time so act quickly if any catch your eye. The Google Play summer sale is available in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and other regions.
Shhh, don't tell Google, but Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner
Many rural stations that extend their signal through translators wouldn't have the money to realign frequencies or even shut them down without this cash.
For many reasons, I never thought that I’d buy an iPhone. When the original model first launched ten years ago today, it was far too expensive. At $599, it would have been the single-most expensive thing I had bought in my 17 years alive and I certainly didn’t have that kind of cash on hand to invest in something that didn’t have wheels.
Its many new features, while cool, seemed unnecessary and unproven. Sure, I wanted a phone with a camera, a real mobile browser and a new-fangled touchscreen, but my no-name flip phone did the job just fine. Really though, this was just an excuse that I swallowed to hide that I didn’t have enough money to buy an iPhone.
So, color me surprised that in less than five years following the debut of the first iPhone, I had finally caved and purchased my first iPhone, the iPhone 4S. Then two years after that, I bought my second iPhone, the iPhone 5S.
For all the reasons that I held off investing in an expensive smartphone, what I failed to consider was the kind of money-sucking, obsessive precedent that spurs into motion when you buy your first.
Welcome to the never-ending cycle
I had gone from a life without smartphones to being on a streak of buying new device after new device, caught up in small design and spec changes that seemed to promise a life demonstrably better than the days I had lived before.
First off, where did this money come from, and why had I gotten accustomed so quickly with cycling through this tech? After only a little time, the subsidized smartphone business model had wedged its way into my circadian clock of purchases. Every year, I needed a new phone or at the very least, I needed to start thinking about my next.
...the subsidized smartphone business model had wedged its way into my circadian clock of purchases.
Ten years following the debut of the iPhone, my life as it relates to smartphone purchases has followed the same rhythm, just like so many others. But I’ve gotten smarter over time.
While I used to have no reservations about plunking down for a new device every so often, I’m now more patient. I’ve gained knowledge and I’ve studied the market. I know when it’s time for me to buy or when I should hold off.
In fact, I like smartphones a whole lot more now that I’m not obsessed with the idea of buying all of them. I’m enjoying watching those small changes take shape into something bigger (or nothing at all) from the sidelines.
I'll never forget how the iPhone spurred such a grand shift in the way that I think about phones. What's most impressive is that in a short amount of time, Apple's phone also altered the mindset behind why and how often many people around the world decided to buy smartphones in the first place.
There's this particular little bit of the experience that has particularly bugged those who need to dip into their app drawer that has been paved over.
The latest Z Play phone from Moto is available on Verizon for a very reasonable $408 as a US carrier exclusive, though an unlocked model will follow for $499 later this summer. The Moto Z2 Play is a strong midrange contender with a slim design, modular accessories and a good quality build. We have it in house and ...
The OnePlus 5 is one of the most popular Android smartphones around the world right now, even more so in India since it was officially unveiled in the region a week ago. The device comes with a pretty attractive hardware specs sheet, accompanied by a dual camera setup (16MP + 20MP), which complements the other features pretty well.
The smartphone was officially launched via Amazon India during launch week as part of an exclusive early access sale, and it seems like the device was in high demand. As per a tweet posted by OnePlus earlier today, the OnePlus 5 was the highest grossing smartphone during launch week on Amazon India. The company failed to disclose numbers, however.
The company also mentioned that the phone sold 3x more units than the OnePlus 3T in the same period. This doesn’t tell us much, though, since the OnePlus 3T was merely a refreshed version of the OnePlus 3. It was mostly considered a rehashed model rather than an all-new handset.
Speaking of the company’s new accomplishments, Vikas Agarwal, General Manager of OnePlus India said - “Our mission is to make the best smartphone and the OnePlus 5 is yet another step in this direction. We are truly humbled by the unprecedented response to our latest flagship”.
The OnePlus 5 is equipped with a 5.5-inch Full HD (1920x1080) Optic AMOLED display panel, accompanied by 16MP + 20MP dual rear cameras, a 16MP front camera, and the octa-core Snapdragon 835 processor. The handset also comes with 6 or 8GB of RAM, coupled with 64 or 128GB of storage respectively. The company is using a 3,300mAh battery to keep the device going throughout the day, while Android 7.1.1 Nougat (w/ OxygenOS) handles the software side of things.
The OnePlus 5 is available via Amazon India and the official OnePlus online store for Rs 32,999 (64GB + 6GB) and Rs 37,999 (64GB + 8GB) respectively.
Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are two of the best phones on the market in 2017, and there are a variety of accessories you can buy to protect and improve your smartphone experience.
From phone cases to keyboards, battery packs to wireless chargers, they’ll have you covered when it comes to accessorising your phone, and the best bit is each is made by Samsung.
That means it’s specifically designed for either the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus so you know it’ll fit and work with your phone perfectly.
For example, Samsung’s Clear View Standing Cover allows you to easily prop your phone up on the desk when you’re watching video as well as controlling your music without having to open up the whole case.
There’s the new LED Cover that shows important data on your lock screen including your alarms, the time and incoming calls without having to slide open your phone at all.
Samsung’s Clear Cover is the perfect choice if you’re after something simple and at only 0.8mm thick it won’t make your phone feel bulky in your pocket either.
One of the boldest options from Samsung is perhaps the Alcantara Cover that feels and looks like suede but is durable and won’t stain easily. This comes in Silver, Mint, Blue or Pink.
The Soft Touch Cover from Samsung gives a smooth feel to the back of the phone but also offers great grip and solid protection from scratches and the odd drop on the floor too.
The final cover from Samsung is the 2Piece, which looks unlike anything you’ve seen before. This cover comes in two pieces – obviously - that attach to the top and bottom of your phone with suction pads and while offering protection also allow you to see the beautiful design of the Galaxy S8.
If you’re looking for a productivity device for your Galaxy S8, there’s the Keyboard Cover for your phone that offers you a QWERTY design and just snaps on the bottom. You won’t even need to charge this separately, it just works as soon as you clip it on.
Speaking of battery life, there is a selection of power banks and wireless chargers from Samsung to ensure you’re always charged up whether it’s on the go, at home or at your desk.
The Wireless Convertible Charger from Samsung is the perfect desk accessory that acts as both a stand so you can see incoming notifications from your phone as well as charging it up without having to plug it in. You get the choice of either Couch Black or Couch Brown.
Then for when you’re on the go you can use the Samsung Battery Pack – in either Navy Blue or Grey – that offers 5,100mAh of extra battery. That will charge up the Galaxy S8 at least one and a half times, while the Galaxy S8 Plus will get just a little over a full charge.
You can buy all of these accessories starting from just £17.00 directly from Samsung today via the Samsung Shop!
