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Galaxy S8: Everything Samsung announced (updated)

Samsung just unveiled two new phones and a slew of accessories. Here's everything we know.

John Falcone Senior Editorial Director, Shopping
John P. Falcone is the senior director of commerce content at CNET, where he coordinates coverage of the site's buying recommendations alongside the CNET Advice team (where he previously headed the consumer electronics reviews section). He's been a CNET editor since 2003.
Expertise Over 20 years experience in electronics and gadget reviews and analysis, and consumer shopping advice Credentials
  • Self-taught tinkerer, informal IT and gadget consultant to friends and family (with several self-built gaming PCs under his belt)
John Falcone
4 min read
Watch this: Samsung Galaxy S8's major makeover

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is finally here.

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus phones -- and a variety of accessories -- at a press event at New York City's Lincoln Center earlier today.

The big news is as follows:

Samsung Galaxy S8: The company's newest flagship phone boasts a wraparound edge-style 5.8-inch display with superslim top and bottom bezels (but the all-screen design means the fingerprint sensor moves to the rear). It'll be the first phone with Samsung's new Bixby AI assistant (in some regions) and the first with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip. Iris scanning and facial recognition are on board, too. It otherwise retains the familiar features from the Galaxy S7, including a 12-megapixel camera, water-resistant body, wireless charging and -- yes -- a headphone jack.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus: If the screen on the standard Galaxy S8 isn't big enough, step up to the ginormous 6.2-inch Plus version. (The phone is otherwise basically identical to its smaller sibling.)

Bixby: Samsung's answer to Siri is called Bixby. The company's new AI assistant will debut in beta on the the new Galaxy S8 phones, where it will live side-by-side with Google Assistant.

Samsung Gear VR with controller: Already teased at last month's Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona, Samsung formally unveiled its updated Gear VR headset. In addition to adding compatibility to the new S8 phones, the new Gear VR includes a controller in the box. It'll be a free add-on for initial S8 preorders.

Samsung Gear 360 (2017): Samsung has updated its VR capture camera, correcting most of the problems we had with the original.

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Josh Goldman/CNET

Samsung DeX Dock: Want to use your Galaxy S8 as a desktop computer? The DeX Dock, which lets you add a mouse, keyboard and monitor to the phone, can make that happen.

Samsung Connect Home: Need a new router for your expanding smart home? In addition to Wi-Fi, Samsung's Connect Home is also compatible with the company's Smart Things platform.

Specs comparisons and buying advice:

All CNET videos from the March 29 Samsung event:

All CNET photos from the March 29 Samsung event: