The Note8 is Samsung’s attempt to show it has entirely recovered from last year’s disaster. Expected by some to axe the Note line entirely after the Note7’s total recall, Samsung has instead returned and picked up where it left off.
Today’s Note8 announcement was little different to any other. The only references to the fate of its predecessor were made subtly, with Samsung expressing “relentless passion” for Note fans. It was also quick to offer reassurances that every Note8 battery has passed the company’s stringent 8-point safety check.
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Samsung
The Note8 has a 6.3-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display. It uses the same Infinity Edge bezel-less technology as the Galaxy S8, giving it a footprint little larger than the Note5 and Note7 before it. The glass dominates the front of the Note8’s body, wrapping around to the sides and ending with thin bezels at the top and bottom.
Samsung’s also upgraded the Note’s defining S Pen. The company said it has improved pressure sensitivity, fitted a finer tip and expanded the S Pen’s software to make it more versatile. You can scribble notes without unlocking your phone, pin writing to the phone’s Always On Display and send messages using animated GIFs and drawings.
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Samsung
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Samsung’s stuck with the industry trend towards dual camera systems, fitting two 12MP sensors to the back. The first lens is optimised for wide-angle shots with the second one taking over for telephoto zooms. Both of the cameras come equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to iron out shakes and wobbles.
Internally, Samsung has worked to make the Note8 the most powerful phone on the market. There’s 6GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, Bluetooth v5.0 and USB Type-C. Depending on region, you’ll get one of two octa-core processors. Samsung’s also included three different biometric authentication systems. You can choose between using the fingerprint sensor, iris scanner or facial recognition.
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Samsung
Samsung said the Note8 is designed for people looking for a unique mobile productivity experience. Citing the results of a user survey, it claimed 85 percent of Note users are “proud” to own their device.
The Note8 is built to continue the brand’s reputation for being one of the most productive smartphones. It also represents Samsung finally moving on from last year’s events, a demonstration that its customers still want a Note device.
Samsung Galaxy Note8
Samsung
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“We appreciate the relentless passion of the Note community. They’ve been a constant inspiration to us and we designed the new Note for them,” said DJ Koh, president of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business. “From the Infinity Display to the enhanced S Pen and a powerful Dual Camera, the Galaxy Note8 lets people do things they never thought were possible.”
The Note8 will launch in mid-September in four different colours, Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Maple Gold and Deepsea Blue. Pricing, availability and storage options will vary between regions.
