Samsung’s next-gen phablet Galaxy Note 8 is less than a month away. Supply chain leaks and rumors have been flowing in from all corners. The leaks have given us a fair idea of what the device would look like, but there is always a possibility of last-minute surprises. Here’s our very own Samsung Galaxy Note 8 concept showing what the phablet would appear like.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 concept imagines the Infinity Display
The render has a Galaxy S8-like bezel-less Infinity display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. Its display is slightly bigger than the S8 Plus at 6.3 inches. Given how well the Infinity display was received by consumers, Samsung is unlikely to get rid of it anytime soon. The top bezel houses the front camera, iris scanner, and other sensors. Galaxy S8 lacked the Samsung branding on the front panel. Our Samsung Galaxy Note 8 concept features the Samsung logo placed right above the ear speaker near the top.
The concept has no physical home button. While the rumor mill claims Samsung has given up on the in-display fingerprint sensor for Note 8, we expect the company to resolve the technical difficulties and implement the feature. If Samsung succeeds, it will be able to beat its biggest rival Apple in bringing the technology to the market. However, Vivo is rumored to launch a phone with optical fingerprint sensor before any other vendor.
Samsung to finally join the dual-camera club
The power button is located on the right side of the phone while the volume rockers are on the left. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 concept includes a dual rear camera setup, which was missing on the Galaxy S8. The cameras are arranged vertically. The LED flash and heart rate sensor sit next to the camera setup. And yes, the device will be accompanied by an S Pen stylus.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently told investors that the Note 8 dual camera would include a 13MP wide-angle lens with dual photodiode, and a 12MP telephoto lens with dual 6P technology and 3x optical zoom. Both lenses will support Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Kuo said the Note 8 rear camera setup would be better than the iPhone 7 Plus.
Samsung is expected to use its recently unveiled ISOCELL Dual sensor on the Galaxy Note 8. The new sensors were unveiled at the MWC event in Shanghai last month. According to supply chain leaks, the ISOCELL Dual will be manufactured by Samsung’s sister firm Samsung Electro-Mechanics. The device is expected to pack a 3300mAh battery.
Galaxy Note 8 color options
Our Samsung Galaxy Note 8 concept comes in five different colors: Black, White, Red, Yellow, and Blue. The vibrant colors make the device stand out from the crowd. However, reputed tipster Roland Quandt said in a tweet earlier this week that the Note 8 would come at least in Black, Orchid Gray, and Deep Blue. The use of “at least” suggests that there will be other color options as well.
It is unclear how different the Deep Blue color will be from the Coral Blue color that we have seen on the Galaxy S8 and Note 7. It could lead to some confusion among consumers. Deep Blue sounds like a darker version of the Coral Blue. The ill-fated Note 7 came in Coral Blue, Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, and Silver Platinum colors.
Note 8 to offer 256GB internal storage
Meanwhile, noted Chinese tipster Ice Universe reports that the Galaxy Note 8 will come with 6GB RAM and 64GB/128GB/256GB internal memory. Ice Universe is the same leaker who had previously claimed that Samsung would also launch an Emperor edition with 8GB RAM for the Chinese market. Now the tipster says there will be no 8GB RAM model.
Galaxy Note8，6GB RAM，64/128/256GB ROM，No 8GB RAM.
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) July 26, 2017
If Samsung indeed offers 256GB internal storage, the Note 8 will be able to support up to 512GB storage thanks to the microSD card slot. The Galaxy Note 8 is rumored to include Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895 processor, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Galaxy Note 8 to be unveiled on August 23
Yes, Samsung has already sent out media invites for an Unpacked event in New York. It will take place at 11 a.m. ET on August 23rd at the Park Avenue Armory. Samsung’s teaser image, which shows the outline of a phone sporting an Infinity display and an S Pen stylus, makes it obvious that the event is about the Note 8. Pre-orders are expected to begin soon after the announcement.
Find out what it means to do bigger things on 08.23.2017. pic.twitter.com/xsbqdP0QBM
— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) July 20, 2017
Samsung’s mobile business chief DJ Koh has said that the Note 8 would be launched in two phases. The first phase will begin in early September and the second phase in early October. It means the phablet will hit the stores well before the iPhone 8. A leaked Samsung document suggests that the company will start accepting Note 8 pre-orders in Australia on August 25, just a couple of days after the announcement.
