Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the successor of the disastrous Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (now called The Note FE), is a very solid option for high-end smart phone users. The Note 8 comes with a robust package of internals, SnapDragon 835 for the US and Chinese variants (Exynos 8895 for all other variants), 6 GB Ram and a 64/128 GB option. The device is just blazing fast and top of the line in this area.
The Cameras
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 comes with a dual camera setup featuring a primary and telephoto lens. Unlike many other devices, the Note 8's camera comes with Optical Stabilization on both the primary and telephoto lens.
Spec-wise, both cameras are 12 Mp with an f1.7 aperture for the main and f2.4 aperture for the telephoto lens. The front camera is 8 Mp with an f1.7 aperture -- the perfect combination for selfie lovers out there.
Display
Samsung has produced some of the best mobile displays in the industry for a few years now. As expected, the Note 7 has a stunning 6.3 inch 18:9 SAMOLED screen with a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels. The display is proclaimed to be the best on the market by Display Mate.
Software
The device comes with Android 7.1.1 Nougat with a Samsung skin on top of it. A quick update to Android 8 Oero is soon expected. The software also comes with Bixby, a newly introduced voice assistant by Samsung.
Battery
Due to the huge fiasco caused by exploding Galaxy Note 7 batteries, Samsung took the safer route by keeping a smaller battery this time over. The Note 8 only has non-removable 3300 mah battery, which is quite underwhelming for 2017 flagships with a screen size of 6.3 inches. But fast charging and wireless charging with a much more efficient screen and processor should help out a lot.
The battery still needs to be tested for a final verdict.
The Design
The Galaxy Note 8 has a beautiful design, it's not something new, but rather in line with their previous flag ship models. The design is a metallic body with gorilla glass on both the sides, just like the Galaxy S8.
The only real difference is the back panel of the phone, where there is a dual camera instead of the standard one in the S8.
The fingerprint scanner is now slightly receded, which makes it easier to find without smudging the camera lens.
Price
The cost of the Note 8 is expected to be around $1,000. The higher than usual price for the newly launched device was rumored for a very long time, with many rumors indicating the cost to be more than $1,000.
Availability
The Note 8 is expected to be released in all major markets as early as September 15. Pre-orders for the devices have already started.
Worth the Upgrade?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has everything you need, from the wonderful S-Pen to a spectacular camera and display. But for a previous generation user, the phone will be all too familiar. If you don't care as much about the S-pen, an S8 or an S8+ is still an amazingly spectacular device at a lower price. But, for a stylus geek currently looking for an upgrade, the Note 8 is perfect.
