Samsung really needs the Galaxy S8 phone to be a win

Devices underwent 8- point battery test

Samsung took the wraps off a premium smartphone that it hopes will at long last get you to stop talking about that other smartphone. Two premium phones, actually.

The highly anticipated new S8, and its larger sibling the S8+, are fast, sturdy, good looking curved glass phones, with 64GB of expandable storage, large and stunning displays ( 5.8 inches and 6.2- inches, respectively), iris scanner, and a new AI assistant named Bixby. It's all packed in a relatively compact design. They'll cost around $ 750 on up.

While the S8 and S8+, carry some of the same DNA found in that other device— the Note 7 phablet that badly burned Samsung’s reputation and coffers— Samsung is counting on the fact that none of the shared genes will cause its latest flagships to literally catch fire.

The shame of the whole Note 7 fiasco was how well received the phone was reviewed by folks like me— weeks before the battery flaws surfaced.

Samsung finally has something positive to talk about

Now that I’ve gotten to touch and feel the S8 and the S8+, my expectation is the new phones will engender praise too, though I haven't been able to take the phone home for a more thorough review. .

Samsung points out that the devices underwent the rigorous 8- point battery safety test that it put in place in the aftermath of the Note debacle, the same test it has been advertising on television. Suffice to say, the company has no margin to mess up again.

Samsung starts taking preorders on March 30. The new phones will go on sale April 21. Folks who preorder get a free version of Samsung’s new Gear VR headset, including its new controller and some Oculus content. The S8 will cost around $ 750; the S8+ around $ 850.

ED BAIG, USA TODAY Detail view of the Samsung Galaxy S8.