The potential release date for the Galaxy Note 8 is nearing, and this means that we are learning about more about the next generation Samsung phablet.
There is no doubt that this device represents one of the most critical releases in the history of the Korean corporation following the fiasco of the Galaxy Note 7. Indeed, for some time it was suggested that Samsung may kill the Galaxy Note branding following the negative connotations that this exploding device inevitably created. But we know now that the Galaxy Note 8 will indeed arrive later this year.
Release date
So the latest indications regarding the Galaxy Note 8 is that the phablet will launch at some point during August, with the intention of gaining the advantage over the Apple iPhone 8. The Korean publication The Bell claims that the consumer electronics giant has already decided to push the Galaxy Note 8 out to the middle of August, with the iPhone 8 anticipated for September.
However, as is usually the case with these matters, nothing is simple! Another report by SamMobile suggests that the Galaxy Note 8 will instead be revealed at the IFA event in Berlin, scheduled to commence this year on September 1. This would mean that the Galaxy Note 8 would barely precede the iPhone 8, if at all.
Display and resolution
The Galaxy Note 8 will undoubtedly be a powerful performer, but fans of Android devices may be slightly disappointed with indications regarding the display in the handset. First of all, the Galaxy Note 8 screen will certainly be an improvement over previous releases, with a wraparound display similar to the Galaxy S8 anticipated, with this possibly being 6.3-inches.
And Samsung will also improve the resolution of the Galaxy Note 8, with the curved Super AMOLED display capable of displaying 2,960 x 1,440 pixels, with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. There is no doubt that this will be a better screen than that included in the Galaxy Note 7, which only had a 5.7-inch display; almost a tiny screen considering the way that the phablet marketplace is going.
But it seems increasingly likely that Samsung will opt against including 4K resolution in the Galaxy Note 8, which will be something of a disappointment considering that this screen resolution has been linked with Samsung products for some time.
Processor
There is some debate over the processor to be utilized in the Galaxy Note 8, with early reports suggesting that the Snapdragon 835 would be used. However, rumors have suggested recently that the upgraded and unannounced Snapdragon 836 could be used instead, and this would certainly make sense if the Korean manufacturer wishes to distinguish the Galaxy Note 8 from its Galaxy S8 flagship.
Meanwhile, in the east Asian marketplace, the proprietary Exynos 8895 processor will be utilized.
Memory
It seems likely that Samsung will include 6GB of RAM memory in the Galaxy Note 8 in order to ensure that the phablet is slick in performance. Some publications have suggested that the handset will only receive the 4GB which was already native in the Galaxy S8, but this seems unlikely if Samsung is to continue to brand the Galaxy Note range as a premium mobile.
Camera
Dual-cameras will be the order of the day in the Samsung product range in 2017, with the Galaxy Note 8 benefiting from a 13-megapixel unit. It is believed that 3x optical zoom will also be included in the telephoto lens gracing the Note 8, while the front-facing camera will also be impressive.
Considering that 8-megapixels was considered a perfectly respectable number for the main camera in a smartphone recently, the fact that the Galaxy Note 8 will deliver this for the selfie snapper is impressive.
It is notable that the Galaxy Note 8 may not be the first smartphone from Samsung this year to feature a dual-camera, with the Galaxy C10 being strongly linked with this functionality as well.
Fingerprint sensor
The inclusion and location of the fingerprint sensor in the Galaxy Note 8 has also been a subject of controversy and contention. It was initially suggested that this would be integrated within the display of the device. But then comments from a Samsung executives seem to have ended this possibility, only for recent reports to once again suggest that this is a likely design parameter.
It would certainly make sense for Samsung to embed the fingerprint sensor within the display panel, as it is widely anticipated that this feature will be included in the iPhone 8, with Apple also scrapping the Home button in its flagship. The Google Pixel 2 will also be a contender this year.
Other specs and Galaxy Note 8 rumors
Samsung will ensure that the Galaxy Note 8 is specifically waterproof, to IP68 standards to be precise. An iris scanner will also be included with the device, while the battery is likely to be around 3,500 mAh. it was the battery cell that was such a bone of contention in the Galaxy Note 7, of course, and the Samsung is likely to concentrate on delivering durable units rather than pushing the boat out with size and lifecycle.
Meanwhile, the popular S Pen stylus will be retained from previous versions, with Samsung also tacking on additional functionality to this nifty feature. Thus, either one or both of a new vibrational system or speaker feature will be part of the makeup of the stylus this time round. The new personal assistant Bixby will also be included, while it is expected that the Galaxy Note 8 will run Android 7.1.1 Nougat with Samsung’s custom user interface on top.
Price
Finally, Samsung is likely to undercut Apple to a certain extent with the Galaxy Note 8, particularly as the Galaxy Note 7 was pretty much an unmitigated disaster. But if extra functionality is to be included, we can reasonably expect the smartphone to retail at a higher price point. This would mean that the Galaxy Note 8 would debut at a recommended retail price of approximately $899.
