Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Launched; Bigger and Better Infinity Display

Everyone remembers what happened the last time when Samsung launched the Note 7 smartphone. Even though it got discontinued, it was universally acknowledged as one of the best smartphones of 2016. The Note series is really special for the company.

It is 2017 and Samsung is back with the latest Note phablet, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Though it is pretty similar to the Galaxy S8, it has its distinguishing signature features. It packs in an even larger screen in a small form-factor, thanks to the bezel-less display.

Samsung has even launched the refurbished Note 7 in a few countries with a smaller, and safer battery labelled as the ‘Fan Edition’. Even with its ‘explosive’ tendencies, the Note 7 was well-received in the market. The Note 8 is actually the result of the demand for a successor to the highly acclaimed Note 7. At the launch event in New York, Samsung announced the Galaxy Note 8 with availability from September 15 around the world. But the release date for India is still not announced. Historically, the Note devices are made available for sale in India around first or second week of October.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: List Of Specifications

• 6.3″ Super AMOLED ‘Infinity Display’; 2,960x1440px resolution, 522 PPI, 18.5:9 aspect ratio; HDR 10 compliant.
• Android 7.1.1 Nougat (promised upgrade to Android Oreo); Samsung Grace UX; Bixby virtual assistant; Smart Connect and Smart Connect Home.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 octa-core CPU (4×2.35GHz Kryo 280 & 4×1.9GHz Kryo 280) with Adreno 540 GPU. Or
• Exynos 8895 octa-core CPU (4x2nd-gen Mongoose 2.3GHz + 4xCortex-A53 1.7GHz) with Mali-G71 GPU.
• 6GB RAM + 64GB Storage; MicroSD slot up to 256GB; UFS cards support.
• 3,300mAh Li-Po Battery (Non-Removable); Adaptive Fast Charging; QuickCharge 2.0 support; WPC (Qi) & PMA wireless charging.
• Dual 12.0-Megapixel Cameras at the back with Dual-Tone LED Flash; Optical image stabilisation; Phase Detection Autofocus.
• Single-SIM; Dual-SIM in certain markets; 3G, 4G VoLTE; USB 3.1 Type-C.
• Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac; GPS, Beidou, Galileo; NFC; Bluetooth V5.0.
• S-Pen stylus with 4096 pressure levels.
• Fingerprint Sensor; Iris / Face Recognition; 3.5mm Headphone Jack; Bundled AKG headphones
• Handset and S-Pen IP68 Certified Dust and Water Resistant.
• Available in Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Grey and Deep Sea Blue Colours

The smartphone is expected to go on sale from September 15 and most market-watchers are expecting the price to be around $1,000. Technically, the only difference between Note 8 and S8+ is actually the S-Pen and the camera setup. But that has been the historical precedent.

The battery in S8+ is slightly larger while the screen size is smaller. That means it should go farther than the Note 8’s battery. While a 4K screen would have made the Note 8 stand out, there would have been no quantifiable gains other than bragging rights.

Of course Samsung has included Bixby into the Note 8. It is still in a nascent stage and has a long way to go before it can catch up to Siri or Google’s Assistant. The Note 8 incorporates even more interesting features in the S-Pen. It will be a much-anticipated phone in India despite of its premium price tag.

Are you planning to get the Note 8 for yourself? Are you satisfied with what Samsung has done with the phone? Sound off in the comments below.