Galaxy S8 Active Vs Iphone 8 Which Phone Was Actually Better Back Then

In 2017, smartphone buyers faced a pivotal choice: go with the rugged, military-grade Samsung Galaxy S8 Active or the sleek, refined Apple iPhone 8. Both devices launched within months of each other—Samsung’s Active variant in August, Apple’s iPhone 8 in September—and targeted users who valued premium design and performance. But beyond specs and branding, which device truly offered a better experience at the time? The answer depends on priorities: durability and battery life versus ecosystem integration and camera quality.

This isn’t just a retrospective spec sheet battle. It’s about real-world usability, longevity under stress, software support, and how well each phone served its intended audience during its prime. Let’s break down the key factors that defined their era and determine which one stood taller in 2017 and beyond.

Durability and Build: Built for Different Worlds

The most obvious distinction between the Galaxy S8 Active and the iPhone 8 lies in their construction philosophy. Samsung designed the S8 Active as a hardened version of the standard S8, targeting outdoor enthusiasts, military personnel, and anyone prone to dropping phones. It featured a MIL-STD-810G rating, an armored frame, and no glass back—unlike the fragile glass-backed iPhone 8.

Apple, meanwhile, returned to glass with the iPhone 8 to enable wireless charging, a first for iPhones. While the front and back used strengthened glass (supposedly the “most durable” ever on an iPhone), it remained highly susceptible to cracks from drops. Numerous real-world drop tests from 2017 showed the iPhone 8 shattering more easily than the S8 Active, which often walked away unscathed even after repeated tumbles onto concrete.

Tip: If you frequently work outdoors, commute heavily, or have kids, a rugged phone like the S8 Active eliminated the need for bulky cases and constant anxiety over drops.

Battery Life and Performance: Power Versus Efficiency

One area where the S8 Active clearly outperformed the iPhone 8 was battery life. With a 4,000mAh battery—nearly 50% larger than the iPhone 8’s 1,821mAh—the Active could routinely last a full day and a half on moderate use. In contrast, the iPhone 8 often required a recharge by late afternoon, especially with GPS navigation, streaming, or gaming.

Under the hood, both phones were powered by top-tier chips: the Exynos 9810 or Snapdragon 835 (depending on region) for the S8 Active, and Apple’s A11 Bionic for the iPhone 8. Benchmarks from 2017 show the A11 holding a clear edge in single-core performance and efficiency, translating to snappier app launches and smoother animations in iOS. However, Samsung’s chip handled multitasking and sustained loads better thanks to superior thermal management and larger battery capacity.

“Battery life was the Achilles’ heel of early iPhones—even flagship models couldn’t match Android counterparts in endurance.” — David Kim, Mobile Analyst at TechPulse 2017

Display and Design: Form Meets Function

The iPhone 8 stuck with a traditional 4.7-inch Retina HD display at 750x1334 resolution—sharp but not groundbreaking. The S8 Active, despite being bulkier, featured a 5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED screen with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, offering deeper blacks, higher brightness, and a more immersive viewing experience. Its flat display also made it easier to use with gloves or wet fingers compared to the curved edges of the standard S8.

Design-wise, the iPhone 8 appealed to minimalists with its seamless glass-and-aluminum body and compact footprint. The S8 Active, however, prioritized utility: it had a physical home button with integrated fingerprint sensor (more reliable than the rear-placed sensor on the regular S8), dedicated side buttons for quick access to apps like Walkie-Talkie, and a textured grip for secure handling.

Camera Comparison: Portrait Shots vs Practical Use

The iPhone 8 introduced Apple’s improved 12MP rear camera with optical image stabilization, enhanced low-light performance, and better color accuracy. It excelled in portrait mode simulations and video recording, particularly 4K at 60fps—a standout feature at the time. Its processing pipeline delivered consistent, natural-looking photos across lighting conditions.

The S8 Active shared the same 12MP rear sensor as the standard S8 but lacked the dual-camera setup of the S8+. While capable in daylight, it struggled slightly in low light compared to the iPhone 8 due to less advanced computational photography. However, its wider dynamic range and HDR capabilities gave it an edge in high-contrast scenes.

For casual photographers, the iPhone 8 was easier to use and produced more shareable images straight out of the camera. For adventurers needing reliability in tough conditions, the S8 Active’s ability to shoot without fear of damage mattered more than pixel-perfect results.

Software and Longevity: Two Ecosystems, Two Paths

iOS offered a major advantage: longer software support. The iPhone 8 received updates all the way up to iOS 16—six years of OS upgrades—ensuring security patches, new features, and app compatibility long after release. In contrast, the S8 Active stopped receiving major Android updates after Android 9 (Pie), though it continued to get security patches until 2020.

Samsung’s interface (TouchWiz/Experience) was seen as bloated in 2017, with redundant apps and slower update rollouts. Apple’s clean, optimized system felt faster and more cohesive, even with older hardware. However, Android offered greater customization, file system access, and flexibility—important for power users.

Feature	Galaxy S8 Active	iPhone 8
Battery Capacity	4,000 mAh	1,821 mAh
Display	5.8\" QHD+ Super AMOLED	4.7\" LCD Retina HD
Water Resistance	MIL-STD-810G + IP68	IP67
Rear Camera	12MP f/1.7 OIS	12MP f/1.8 OIS
Processor	Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 9810	A11 Bionic
Software Support	3 major OS updates	6 major iOS updates
Wireless Charging	No	Yes

Real-World Example: Field Worker vs Office Professional

Consider two users in late 2017: Mark, a construction site supervisor, and Lisa, a marketing executive. Mark carried the S8 Active. He dropped it multiple times—from scaffolding, into dirt, and once into a puddle. Each time, it powered back on without issue. Its long battery lasted through 12-hour shifts, and the loud speaker cut through ambient noise. He never used wireless charging, didn’t care about thinness, and preferred the tactile feedback of the physical home button.

Lisa chose the iPhone 8. She appreciated its compact size for her purse, the crisp camera for social media, and seamless integration with her MacBook and AirPods. She charged it daily at her desk and used iCloud to auto-sync photos. When she accidentally dropped it, the screen cracked—costing $149 for Apple’s out-of-warranty repair. Still, she valued the polished ecosystem too much to switch.

Both phones succeeded—but for entirely different lifestyles.

Checklist: Choosing Between S8 Active and iPhone 8 in 2017

• ✅ Need long battery life? → Galaxy S8 Active
• ✅ Work outdoors or in rugged environments? → Galaxy S8 Active
• ✅ Prioritize camera consistency and video quality? → iPhone 8
• ✅ Already invested in Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, Watch)? → iPhone 8
• ✅ Want wireless charging? → iPhone 8
• ✅ Prefer physical navigation buttons? → Galaxy S8 Active
• ✅ Value long-term software updates? → iPhone 8

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Galaxy S8 Active have the same screen as the S8?

Almost. The S8 Active used a flatter version of the S8’s 5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display, avoiding the curved edges for better durability and glove use. It was slightly dimmer in direct sunlight but more practical in harsh conditions.

Was the iPhone 8 waterproof?

It had an IP67 rating, meaning it could survive submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. However, this wasn’t guaranteed, especially after drops. The S8 Active had IP68 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) and added MIL-STD-810G certification for shock, dust, and extreme temperatures.

Which phone held value better over time?

The iPhone 8 retained resale value significantly better. Even two years later, used iPhone 8 units sold for nearly double the price of used S8 Actives. This was due to stronger brand loyalty, longer software support, and broader market demand.

Final Verdict: Better For Whom?

There was no universal “better” phone in 2017—only better for specific needs. The Galaxy S8 Active was objectively superior for durability, battery life, and outdoor functionality. It was the tool phone: built to endure, perform, and keep going when others failed.

The iPhone 8, while more fragile, offered a refined user experience, superior long-term support, and unmatched ecosystem synergy. It was the lifestyle phone—elegant, efficient, and deeply integrated.

If your priority was resilience and independence from chargers, the S8 Active was the clear winner. If you valued seamless software, camera polish, and future-proof updates, the iPhone 8 took the crown.

💬 Looking back, which phone did you choose in 2017—and would you make the same decision today? Share your experience and help others understand what really mattered in that pivotal year for smartphones.