Two devices that consumers have been eagerly waiting for are the iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8. While the iPhone 8 release is rumored to get delayed by a month or two, the Note 8 is likely to be unveiled in August. The upcoming Note device has been subject to a plethora of leaks and rumors – including some fake ones – in the last few months. Now a Chinese tipster has revealed the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 specs and color options.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 specs
Prominent Chinese leaker Ice Universe said in a Weibo post that the Note 8 would feature a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display. It would have the same Infinity display as the current Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus. Ice Universe added that Note 8 display would offer 2K resolution and an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. Samsung also used the 18.5:9 ratio rather than the standard 16:9 on the Galaxy S8. The new aspect ratio offers better experience when watching videos and playing games.
According to the Weibo post, the Note 8 would run Samsung’s in-house Exynos 8895 or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor depending on the region. Recently, reports surfaced that the Note 8 could be the first device to feature Snapdragon 836, an upgraded version of Snapdragon 835. Ice Universe said the upcoming phablet would pack 6GB RAM, which seems plausible considering the Chinese version of Galaxy S8 Plus already features 6GB RAM.
Samsung unveils galaxy Note 8 dual camera sensors
Earlier this month, Ice Universe had claimed that Samsung would also launch an Emperor edition of Note 8 for the Chinese market with 8GB RAM. The tipster adds in the latest post that the Note 8 would feature a dual camera system on the back, which is not a big surprise. It would consist of two 12-megapixel sensors with optical image stabilization.
However, a previous report says the dual camera setup would include two 13-megapixel sensors. The sensors would be supplied by Samsung Electro-Mechanics, a sister firm of Samsung, rather than Sony. In either case, the Note 8 dual camera would have fewer megapixels than OnePlus 5, which has a 16MP and a 20MP sensor. Samsung could optimize the software to offer better photography experience than OnePlus 5. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is confident that the Note 8 dual camera would be far better than the iPhone 7 Plus.
On June 28, Samsung unveiled four new camera sensors based on its ISOCELL technology at the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai. One of the four sensors is for dual cameras. Though Samsung did not confirm that ISOCELL Dual would be used in the Note 8, the announcement timing indicates that it is indeed headed for the Note 8. Both sensors have an aperture of f/2.0.
Note 8 to come in blue, gold, and black colors
Other Samsung Galaxy Note 8 specs include DeX support, which Samsung introduced with the Galaxy S8. DeX allows users to turn the smartphone into a computer by connecting it to a keyboard, monitor, and mouse. The phablet would come with an enhanced S Pen stylus. Samsung has kept the S Pen exclusive to the Note line. The phablet is said to feature a 3,300mAh battery.
According to the tipster, the Galaxy Note 8 would be available in three different color options: blue, black, and gold. The current Galaxy S8 comes in Orchid Gray, Midnight Black, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold. Last year’s ill-fated Note 7 was available in Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium, and Blue Coral.
Galaxy Note 8 3D render
Earlier this week, Twitter tipster @OnLeaks posted a video of the Note 8 3D render. It shows the phone’s design from every angle. The render showed a dual camera system positioned horizontally in the top center. The fingerprint sensor also sits on the back panel. The fingerprint scanner and dual camera system are separated by the LED flash. But there is still a chance that users would accidentally put fingers on the camera lenses while trying to unlock the device.
According to the render, the rear panel would be made out of glass to facilitate wireless charging. At the bottom of the phone, you can see the speaker grille, the S Pen slot, USB Type-C port, and the 3.5mm headphone jack. The power button sits on the right side of the phone while Bixby and volume buttons are located on the left side. The phone measures 162.4×74.5×8.4mm, which would make it slightly thicker and wider than the Note 7.
Galaxy Note 8 to be unveiled on August 26
Initially, there were speculations that the Note 8 would be announced at the IFA show in Berlin. Samsung had announced Note devices at the IFA in the past, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise. However, inside sources recently told The Investor that Samsung was planning to announce the Note 8 on August 26. The company was still in the process of finalizing the venue.
Considering the powerful Samsung Galaxy Note 8 specs, consumers never expected it to be cheap. But recent reports suggest that it could be the most expensive Samsung smartphone ever with a price tag of 999 euros ($1,132). According to well-connected tipster Evan Blass, the Note 8 could set US buyers back by more than $1,000.
