If Samsung has a dedicated team to prevent leaks about Galaxy Note 8, they are doing a terrible job. Almost every feature of the upcoming flagship has leaked repeatedly in the last few months. Reputed tipsters such as Evan Blass and OnLeaks have also revealed its design. Fresh Galaxy Note 8 case renders listed on MobileFun have confirmed its design, including the location of the fingerprint sensor.
Olixar’s Galaxy Note 8 case renders feature horizontal cameras
The case renders are created by accessories manufacturers based on mockups provided by smartphone vendors. The Galaxy Note 8 case renders come from Olixar, the company that had accurately leaked the Galaxy Note 7, Galaxy S8, and iPhone 7 designs. Olixar has listed three different Galaxy Note 8 cases – Ultra-Thin, X-Duo, and FlexiShield – on MobileFun. They have been priced between $5.49 and $27.
The Galaxy Note 8 case renders show that the device would be similar to the Galaxy S8. It has the same edge-to-edge Infinity display with very slim top and bottom bezels. The phone is said to have a 6.3-inch QHD display, slightly larger than the 6.2-inch of the S8 Plus. The differences between the Note 8 and S8 line are visible on the back panel.
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The fingerprint sensor location may disappoint Note fans
Olixar’s renders show a horizontal dual lens camera on the back. Next to it are the LED flash and heart rate sensor. Samsung has decided to stick to the rear fingerprint scanner. The Galaxy S8 users had criticized the rear fingerprint sensor placement because they would unintentionally place their fingers on the camera lens while unlocking the device. This time, however, there is LED flash and heart rate sensor between the camera and the fingerprint sensor.
The Korean electronics behemoth had first tried to integrate the fingerprint sensor into the display of Galaxy S8, but couldn’t pull it off. It tried again with the Note 8, but eventually decided not to use the optical fingerprint solution because of technical difficulties. Previous leaks have shown that the camera and fingerprint scanner would cause a big bump on the back panel. Olixar’s Galaxy Note 8 case renders have made the bump disappear, thanks to the way the cases are designed. The cases appear to be thicker than usual to hide the camera bump.
The renders also show that the Note 8 would have a dedicated Bixby button, just like Galaxy S8. The Bixby and volume buttons can be seen on the left side of the phone. The power button sits alone on the right side. Bixby on the Note 8 would be far more advanced than it currently is on the Galaxy S8.
Note 8 to come in 64GB, 128GB storage options
Meanwhile, Korean site Osen has learned from inside sources that the Note 8 would be available in two different storage options: 64GB and 128GB. Both versions would offer a microSD card slot to further expand storage. It’s not yet clear whether both versions would be available worldwide. In some countries, Samsung may launch only one model.
The publication says that Samsung is under pressure to beef up the Note 8 specs to differentiate it from the Galaxy S8, which is already one of the most powerful devices. The Note 8 is rumored to cost more than $1,000. Samsung can justify the price tag with more powerful specs and new features. The Note line already has a “power user” reputation.
According to Chinese tipster Ice Universe, the Note 8 would pack 6GB RAM. However, Samsung could also launch an Emperor edition of the device with 8GB RAM. Ice Universe added that the phablet would be powered by Samsung’s Exynos 8895 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, the same processors that run the Galaxy S8 line. ITHome reported earlier this month that Samsung could use the upcoming Snapdragon 836 rather than SD835 in the Note 8.
Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 8 dual camera sensors
Earlier this week, Samsung announced four new image sensors based on its ISOCELL technology. All of them are designed for smartphone cameras. One of them, ISOCELL Dual, could be used for the Note 8 dual camera system, even though Samsung hasn’t yet confirmed it. The ISOCELL Dual features two 13-megapixel sensors with an f/2.0 aperture.
One of them is an RGB sensor while the other one is monochrome sensor. The software would combine images taken by two sensors to yield a sharper single photo. It indicates that Samsung is taking a different approach to dual camera setup than the iPhone 7 Plus, which includes a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens to create an artificial ‘bokeh’ effect.
Samsung would reportedly be sourcing the Note 8 camera sensors from its sister firm Samsung Electro-Mechanics instead of Sony. The current Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus include Sony’s IMX333 sensors. Since Samsung is taking a different approach to dual cameras, it is unclear how it would stack up against the iPhone 7 Plus. However, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo firmly believes that the Note 8 dual camera would be better than the iPhone 7 Plus.
When is Galaxy Note 8 coming out
The rumor mill has suggested multiple release dates for the Note 8, which has only confused fans. Some say it would be unveiled at the IFA on September 1, while others point to a mid-August unveiling. However, sources within Samsung have told The Investor that the device would be unveiled at an Unpacked event on August 26th. Samsung is yet to finalize the venue for the event.