Is The Samsung A70 Actually A Better Deal Than The Older S8 Plus

When upgrading your smartphone, it's easy to get caught in the nostalgia of flagship models from just a few years ago. The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, released in 2017, was once the pinnacle of mobile technology—sleek design, powerful performance, and an industry-leading display. Fast forward to today, and devices like the Samsung Galaxy A70, launched in 2019, offer modern features at accessible price points. But is the A70 truly a better value proposition than the aging S8 Plus? For budget-conscious buyers or those seeking long-term usability, this comparison matters more than ever.

The answer isn't just about raw specs—it’s about longevity, software support, camera quality, battery life, and overall user experience in 2024 and beyond. Let’s break down how these two phones stack up across key categories to determine which delivers more bang for your buck today.

Design and Display: Modern Curves vs. Timeless Elegance

The S8 Plus set a new standard for smartphone aesthetics with its nearly bezel-less Infinity Display, curved edges, and glass-metal sandwich design. At the time, it felt futuristic. Its 6.2-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED panel remains vibrant and sharp, offering excellent color accuracy and deep blacks. However, that same design now feels fragile by modern standards—no IP68 rating on most variants, and the glass back is prone to cracks without a case.

In contrast, the A70 trades some premium materials for practicality. It uses a plastic body and flat 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution. While the screen is larger and benefits from newer panel technology (such as improved outdoor visibility), it lacks the pixel density and refinement of the S8 Plus. That said, the A70 includes an in-display fingerprint sensor—a feature absent on the S8 Plus, which relies on a rear-mounted scanner awkwardly placed next to the camera.

Tip: If you prioritize screen size and modern biometrics over pixel density, the A70 has the edge despite using less premium materials.

Performance and Software: Longevity Over Legacy

Under the hood, the S8 Plus ran on either the Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835, both of which were top-tier chips in 2017. In their day, they handled multitasking, gaming, and photography with ease. But nearly seven years later, performance degrades—not just due to hardware aging, but because software updates have ceased. The S8 Plus maxed out at Android 9 Pie with One UI 1.0, leaving it vulnerable to security risks and incompatible with many current apps.

The A70, while not a powerhouse, uses the more modern Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor paired with 6GB of RAM. It runs Android 9 out of the box but received updates up to Android 11 with One UI 3.1. This means better app compatibility, improved system optimizations, and longer relevance in daily use. Real-world usage shows smoother navigation, faster app launches, and better background task management compared to the aging S8 Plus.

“Phones don’t age gracefully without software support. Even a powerful legacy device like the S8 Plus becomes a liability when cut off from security patches.” — David Lin, Mobile Security Analyst at TechShield Insights

Camera Capabilities: Triple Lenses vs. Single Excellence

The S8 Plus featured a single 12MP rear camera with Dual Pixel autofocus and f/1.7 aperture—an exceptional shooter for its time. It produced rich, detailed photos with natural color reproduction and excellent low-light performance. Video recording topped out at 4K@30fps, which still holds up well today.

The A70 counters with a triple-camera array: 32MP main (f/1.7), 8MP ultra-wide, and 5MP depth sensor. On paper, this looks like a decisive win. In practice, the higher megapixel count doesn’t always translate to better images. The A70 tends to oversharpen and overprocess photos, especially in HDR mode. However, the inclusion of an ultra-wide lens adds creative flexibility, allowing for landscape shots and group photos that weren’t possible on the S8 Plus without third-party apps or cropping.

For front-facing photography, the A70’s 32MP selfie camera outshines the S8 Plus’s 8MP shooter, particularly in daylight. But in low light, both struggle, though the S8 Plus handles noise slightly better due to superior image processing algorithms available during its prime.

Battery Life and Charging: Capacity Wins

This is where the A70 pulls far ahead. With a 4500mAh battery, it consistently lasts a full day—and often stretches into a second—with moderate use. The S8 Plus, equipped with a smaller 3500mAh cell, typically requires daily charging, and after years of battery cycles, original units may now struggle to make it through the afternoon.

Charging is another point of divergence. The A70 supports 25W fast charging (though often sold with a 15W charger), enabling a 50% charge in about 30 minutes. The S8 Plus supports Quick Charge 2.0, limited to around 15W, and charges significantly slower by today’s standards. Neither supports wireless charging natively, though the S8 Plus can technically use it with accessories—a minor advantage that doesn’t outweigh the A70’s superior endurance.

Feature	Samsung S8 Plus	Samsung A70
Release Year	2017	2019
Display	6.2\" QHD+ AMOLED (Curved)	6.7\" FHD+ AMOLED (Flat)
Processor	Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895	Snapdragon 675
Rear Camera	12MP (f/1.7)	32MP + 8MP UW + 5MP Depth
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Battery	3500mAh	4500mAh
Fast Charging	~15W (QC 2.0)	25W (adaptive)
Software Support	Ended (Android 9)	Ended (Android 11)
Fingerprint Sensor	Rear-mounted	In-display optical

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria, a freelance graphic designer, considered buying a used S8 Plus for $120, drawn by its iconic design and high-resolution screen. She planned to use it for sketching ideas and managing client emails. After testing one for a week, she noticed frequent app crashes, slow loading times in design tools, and poor battery life that disrupted her workflow during coffee shop sessions.

She switched to a refurbished A70 at a similar price point. Instantly, she appreciated the larger screen for viewing mockups, faster response times, and the ability to go two days between charges. Though the display wasn’t as sharp, the modern interface and stable performance made it a far more reliable tool for her daily needs. “It’s not as flashy,” she said, “but it actually works when I need it to.”

Checklist: Is the A70 Right for You?

• ✅ Need long battery life for travel or work?
• ✅ Want a large screen for videos or reading?
• ✅ Prioritize modern features like in-display fingerprint sensors?
• ✅ Use apps that require recent Android versions?
• ✅ Prefer triple cameras with ultra-wide capability?
• ❌ Looking for the absolute best display quality or flagship build?
• ❌ Require future-proof performance for heavy gaming?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the S8 Plus still run modern apps smoothly?

Some lightweight apps work fine, but many newer applications—especially social media platforms, banking apps, and productivity tools—are optimized for Android 10 and above. The S8 Plus often lags, crashes, or fails to install them altogether.

Is the A70 waterproof?

No, the A70 does not have an official IP rating. It lacks water and dust resistance, so precautions should be taken around moisture. The S8 Plus has IP68 on select global models, giving it a slight durability edge in wet conditions.

Which phone holds resale value better?

Neither retains significant resale value today, but the S8 Plus, as a collector’s item among vintage Samsung fans, occasionally fetches niche interest. The A70 is seen purely as a functional budget device with no collectible appeal.

Final Verdict: Value Trumps Nostalgia

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus was a landmark device, and its influence is still visible in today’s smartphones. But in 2024, it’s functionally obsolete. Outdated software, degraded batteries, and diminishing app compatibility make it a risky choice for everyday use.

The Galaxy A70, while not a flagship, delivers a more balanced, sustainable experience. Larger battery, modern biometrics, better cameras for social sharing, and slightly fresher software support make it a smarter investment—even at comparable prices on the secondhand market.

If you're choosing strictly based on utility, reliability, and day-to-day performance, the A70 is objectively the better deal. It reflects the evolution of mid-range phones: not glamorous, but dependable, capable, and built for real people with real needs.

🚀 Ready to make a smart upgrade? Skip the nostalgia trap—choose functionality over fame. The A70 might not turn heads, but it will serve you better every single day.