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Samsung's Note line has never been massive; sales have always been tens of percent of the level of the current flagship with a larger diagonal. The reason is not only the price, but also the positioning of the device, which was aimed at three small groups - flagship lovers and geeks, as well as a business audience for whom the additional functions of the device are important, plus a small layer of those who love and know how to draw. For the last two groups, even the name itself reflected the meaning of the device: it is a notepad, but a modern, electronic notepad. But you can write with a pen, which is called the S Pen, which is initially present in a special compartment in the case and is quite convenient in everyday life.
There have never been and are no direct competitors to the Note line on the market, since no one has been able to create anything similar at the level of both software and hardware. Attempts to create similar devices were made many times, but all of them were unsuccessful. Moreover, often such devices were positioned much cheaper, but people simply ignored them - it turned out that it was important for the target audience not just to buy something with a certain stylus, it was important for them to get a variety of software, new features, and they were willing to pay for it.
The success of the Note line was unexpected; from a niche device not for everyone, the model instantly became a mass device, the company’s second flagship within a year. Before Note 5, Samsung tried to provide the very best technology in this device, but then there was a reassessment of values. Thus, Note 5 turned out to be quite unsuccessful in sales, as they refused to support memory cards, just like other devices of that generation from Samsung. For Note line consumers and Note 4 owners, this was a big blow (and Note 2 at that time as well). The index “six” was missed, and with Note 7 there was a story with fires, which could have put an end to the entire product line, but this did not happen. But again the positioning has changed a little, now Samsung is not trying to please geeks, the production cycle has changed so that the Note does not receive the latest developments in the field of chipsets and memory, it becomes an analogue of an already existing flagship. The logic of this decision is clear, the best should go to the S9, which is already in development, while the Note will actively highlight and promote its strengths.
The business audience for this device has always been strong, but today the promotion of the Note line is reaching a completely new level, as an accessory such as DeX has appeared, which turns the phone into a full-fledged computer or its like.
In the B2B segment, the company’s plans for Note 8 are very large; this device will be offered to corporations as part of existing and new projects, and there are no analogues to such a solution at the moment, which allows us to talk about a fairly successful implementation. I am sure that throughout the year we will hear about certain companies purchasing Note 8 for their employees. DeX will gradually begin to penetrate the corporate market, perhaps this will become a trend, they want to make something difficult here.
Market-wise, the Note 8 only has one or two competitors, and that's the iPhone 7 Plus and its sequel. The reason is that many will compare the two most expensive solutions from direct competitors, and ordinary consumers will do just that. At the same time, they also have a seemingly similar camera solution (optical zoom), which gives even more similarity in the eyes of buyers. In principle, in this price segment there are de facto only two names - Apple and Samsung, sales of all other players amount to at most 5%, and the number of these players is more than a dozen. But consumers do not choose them, but focus only on familiar names.
Initial sales plans for Note 8 were modest, up to 10% of S8+ sales. A few months before the start of sales, after partners began to place orders, the plan was revised and increased threefold. Cause? The market believed in the product and believes that it will be in demand. Let's try to evaluate why this is so.
The first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Note 8 is that this is some version of the S8+, the devices are very similar. Place the S8+ next to it, and then you will notice a difference in a number of ways, but you will have to look closely. The designers tried to achieve maximum resemblance to a notepad, hence the slightly chopped edges, which in real life do not add any problems to the use of the device.
Compared to Galaxy S8+
And this model differs from previous Notes in its shape.
The sizes of the devices are comparable, they do not differ very much, a couple of millimeters does not allow us to say that the Note 8 is huge - it fits perfectly in the hand, is invisible in your pocket, and is convenient to use with one hand. So, the dimensions of Note 8 are 162.5 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm, in S8+ it is 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm. The exception is the fingerprint sensor, which is still located on the back surface as in the S8+, but it has been moved so that the camera window cannot be accidentally stained. Samsung was never able to make progress with an under-glass sensor; moreover, it may not be in the S9 either, since serious engineering difficulties arose, the same with Apple. It is curious that both manufacturers are trying to buy out the technology of a third company through its purchase and are struggling with their proposals, hoping that they will be the first to make such a decision.
The curve of the case is felt exactly the same; Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is used (a special version without markings, it was created for this device). The IP68 protection has not gone away, the device can easily live under water. The internal layout of the device has been slightly redesigned to improve protection after accidental drops, so that no cracks occur and water cannot damage anything inside.
The layout of the buttons and connectors is almost exactly the same as on the G8; there is a separate Bixby key, as well as a SIM card slot combined with a memory card. Nowhere in the world will there be a device with a separate slot for two SIM cards and a memory card, only combined ones.
In terms of materials, there are no discoveries, it is exactly the same 7000 aluminum alloy, the coating is the same as in S8/S8+, the structure of the varnish has changed, it is more scratch-resistant.
You won't be able to insert the S-Pen the wrong way around; foolproof protection was added by default. As well as all the usual options for the stylus, you can write by hand on the locked screen, add reminders (expanded functionality) and mark individual events. The S-Pen itself has not undergone major changes compared to the Note 7; it feels exactly the same pen, comfortable and practical.
The iris scanner has changed, it now has an updated version of hardware and software, it works a little faster in the dark, and about the same in daylight. We have added a new learning algorithm; the more often and under different conditions you use the scanner, the better and faster it recognizes your eyes. The face scanner has become a little more complex, but it is still less secure than the iris scanner.
The screen diagonal is 6.3 inches, but here the difference with the S8+ is practically not felt; the added 0.1 inches had a minimal effect on the height of the device, and not on its width. And if the S8+ was a huge TV, then this effect is only enhanced here. Shovel or not, this question will definitely be asked constantly, but when you watch a movie on this screen once, this question will disappear by itself. Geometry is the same 2 to 1, resolution is 2K, or, more precisely, QuadHD+. The screen type is SuperAMOLED, but, as usual, this is the latest generation, in which many characteristics invisible at first glance have been improved in small ways:
In real life, it is almost impossible to see a strong difference between the screen of the S8+ and Note 8; the screens simply behave differently in different lighting conditions; in order to appreciate this difference, you need to use them. Therefore, after the presentation, many will say that the screens are equivalent, and, perhaps, for typical situations this is true. But for difficult situations, the Note 8 will win, as usual, the latest flagship has the latest screen in terms of technology.
I don't understand why China always gets versions of devices with more memory. So, in the USA and Europe the model will appear with a RAM capacity of 6 GB; a device with 8 GB of RAM will be released for the Chinese market a little later. Built-in memory 64 GB, plus memory cards up to 2 TB. A version with 128 GB of internal memory will appear later, availability in Russia is unknown.
A model with Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) is coming out for the USA, but for the rest of the world, including Russia, it will be Exynos 8895 (also 10 nm), which is well known to us from the S8/S8+.
The performance of the chipset is typical for current models, but look at the results for yourself.
The Li-Ion battery is 3300 mAh, which is slightly smaller than the battery installed in the S8+. However, both devices provide comparable operating time under the same scenarios. For those who use the device to its fullest, this is up to one day of work, or with all sorts of settings and a skillful approach, two to three days of work and 7-8 hours of screen work.
At the moment, the S8+ is the longest-lived flagship, especially with this screen size. In Note 8 we see the same thing. As usual, there is wireless charging built into the case, fast charging and an extreme power saving mode, everything is unchanged.
In Note 8, the main camera is made dual for the first time; formally, the main module is a 12-megapixel sensor, which we see in the S8/S8+, but the camera logic and algorithms have been completely redesigned. In the latest update S8/S8+, some of these algorithms have already been used; while maintaining the clarity of the pictures, they have become a little lighter and brighter, they don’t cut the eye with ringing clarity, they’re a little more natural. Although these differences need to be looked for, and none of the normal people will do this.
The presence of a second sensor allows for a whole range of new shooting modes, and here we see a clear answer to the iPhone 7 Plus and its two modules. Thus, selective focusing has appeared on the image - blurring the background, and the degree of this blur is regulated, post-processing is always available. Among the camera improvements, we should note greater clarity and less noise when shooting at night (this is already Samsung’s strong point, but it has become even better), an updated HDR mode (HDR+ or something similar). If other companies are trying to improve night photography by improving optics, then here they stitched two simultaneously taken images from two cameras (this is where the fact that the second module is not monochrome, but regular) comes in handy. In fact, one camera is wide-angle and the other is zoom.
It is important to know that the camera module differs in optics from the S8/S8+; a regular photo has a large zoom. There is a x2 icon in the menu, that is, this is an optical zoom, compared to the S8/S8+, the increase will be x3, which is where it came from in all the descriptions. But on the device itself the magnification is x2, which is enough for the eyes. However, see for yourself. Since the zoom is optical, there is no loss in image quality.
Examples of photos (tele-module)
front-camera
And this is what blur looks like in pictures.
In general, we can say that the camera has not made a resounding leap forward, but evolutionarily it has been greatly improved compared to the S8/S8+ and provides new opportunities for those who are interested in photography (portrait photography, better macro). I don’t want to get into a debate about which device has a better camera; in my opinion, these are always the latest flagships from Samsung, as they provide space for creativity and the opportunity to take pictures even in difficult conditions. The camera in Note 8 is very decent in different modes; the full version of the review will contain more different photos a little later, but not from the prototype, but from a commercial sample.
For now, you can see a comparison of shots with the S8+.
| Galaxy Note 8 | Galaxy S8+ |
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Let me start with the fact that most people consider the S Pen to be an additional and practically unnecessary thing; they very rarely use the stylus built into the body. On the other hand, there is a creative minority that is accustomed to pens, loves to draw, and they, on the contrary, do not let go of the S Pen, create beautiful drawings, sketches, in a word, constantly use the stylus. These two categories of people will never be able to understand each other; they have too different tasks and needs. Unfortunately, I never learned to draw something other than stick-stick-circle, and ultimately a little man, so I consider myself to be among the majority without any special artistic talents. For people like me, there are coloring pages, you can paint over the templates, it looks very beautiful.
For me, the S Pen is the ability to leave a quick note, write on the screen, without even unlocking the phone. This is very useful in meetings when you need to remember something and don't need to write it down in a notebook. Short notes on the run, which are also synchronized with the cloud. Now you can record not only one screen, it can be endless, you scroll through it vertically, plus there is the ability to leave it on the waiting screen, pin it in one place.
But perhaps the most important thing is the ability to take a screenshot of a page that does not fit on the entire screen. The function appeared in Note 5; it has come in handy more than once for me to show certain things, to instantly send them as one file, rather than torn pages.
Another important point is the ability to take a screenshot anywhere on the screen and immediately draw something on it, cut out a piece. It's also interesting for those who work with graphics and the like.
From the useful side, I’ll tell you about the ability to recognize text in pictures, that is, you save everything that you photographed or took a screenshot of, not just as graphics, you can remove the text from there. This is an indispensable tool in my work.
A new feature is the translation of individual words; in this mode, you set the direction of translation and you can spy on any words that will be immediately shown. The Google engine is used, the function is pleasant for those who study or constantly correspond in different languages, not always having a dictionary at hand.
The fact that the S Pen works underwater, in my opinion, is nonsense. It is unlikely that scuba divers will use a phone while diving, and even at a depth of two meters it will simply leak. But the fact that you can write in the rain is a real application scenario that is easy to imagine.
The pen, as before, takes into account 2048 degrees of pressure. The S Note app has a drawing mode where you can mix colors, something that wasn't available before.
I can’t say that I use the S Pen very actively, sometimes it happens that I don’t take it out for several days, sometimes a couple of times a day I draw something on screenshots, cut out pictures. But I can say for sure that it helps me quickly complete routine tasks that I encounter from time to time. There is simply nothing like this in other phones. Handwritten text recognition has become noticeably better, but, in my opinion, this is not as convenient as simply typing text on the keyboard, although perhaps someone thinks the opposite. I am sure that there are fewer and fewer people writing every year. And therefore, the S Pen is not so much for writing as for performing tasks in which the stylus is difficult to replace with a finger.
I did not have any high expectations from this device, since I have known it for a long time. The main changes that appeared compared to the S8+ are the presence of the S Pen, a slightly different body shape, which is not fundamental, as well as a slightly larger screen. The most important thing is the new camera module, which gives noticeably more space for creativity, and I like it. As well as the fact that the technique allows you to pull out pictures that otherwise would not have turned out.
In Russia, sales of Note 8 will begin in the second half of September at a price of 69,990 rubles; as usual, pre-orders will be open. As far as I know, those who pay for the device before the start of sales will receive it first, plus they will give a DeX station as a gift (it costs 9,990 rubles separately, a valuable gift). The price, as always for flagships, causes heated discussions and rejection by part of the audience, but sales prove that such devices sell well, and this will happen now. For those looking for a model that will last for several years, this is a very good choice that is worth considering carefully. It’s interesting that more programs are being adapted for the DeX station, for example, a version of World of Tanks is appearing that will work with a keyboard and mouse, and other games and programs are on the way.
We'll see what they show in the new iPhone Plus, but I don't expect anything unusual, the stylus apparently won't appear there, which means that, as before, these are completely different categories of products, a regular phablet versus a unique device.
My emotions from Note 8 are simple - there is no delight, this is a well-known device, as if I bought comfortable shoes in which my feet immediately feel good. Everything is in its place, everything is correctly located. And a little more than that, I really missed the S Pen, and the fact that it’s back is good. The camera is simply even more pleasing than before. Pleases with the possibilities. The review will be in September, so I’ll go over all the details in detail and compare the cameras with the iPhone 7 Plus. Stay in touch.
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The Galaxy Note 8 smartphone was supposed to do more than just offer a large screen and a stylus to its few fans. It came out after the disastrous Galaxy Note 7, as a result of which increased attention was focused on it. Samsung couldn't afford to make a mistake.
And she was not mistaken. Since then, an even more luxurious and expensive one has already appeared on sale. Too expensive for many, which raises the question of whether it would be better to buy the Galaxy Note 8 cheaper. Let's see how relevant it looks at the end of 2018.
It's impossible to argue that Samsung is the leading manufacturer of smartphone panels. The Galaxy Note 8 comes with a 6.3-inch Samsung Super AMOLED screen. It is in no way inferior to the best devices of this year. Large panels with an aspect ratio of 18:9 have become commonplace these days. Despite this, the bright and rich screen of the Galaxy Note 8 remains one of the highest quality. Plus, it doesn't have a cutout. Not all users are ready to tolerate them.
Almost every day this year, smartphones with the Snapdragon 845 processor are released. Its advantages have already been discussed several times. It is fast and energy efficient. This doesn't mean the Snapdragon 835-powered Galaxy Note 8 is slow. Experience with it for a week showed that its power is more than sufficient for everyday tasks. The same applies to modern mobile games. When comparing the Galaxy Note 8 to the Galaxy S9+, sometimes the latter performs a little smoother. However, ordinary users do not make such comparisons, only reviewers.
If you want a smartphone with a stylus, you don't have much choice. There is an LG device that is difficult to obtain in Russia, but it is not of such a high level. The ability to handwrite and draw on the screen has remained one of the most attractive features of the Galaxy Note line since the introduction of the Galaxy Note line. Last year's stylus received a number of innovations that were not present in previous models.
For example, the Screen Off Memo function, which allows you to record notes when the screen is off using a stylus. Up to 100 pages of records are now supported before the device needs to be unlocked. Text translation allows you to use a stylus to convert an entire paragraph from one language to another. By comparison, on the Galaxy Note 7 you could only translate individual words. There are also live messages with which you can create GIF animations. Combine that with the other S Pen functionality that's been added in recent years, and you've got a very interesting device. True, the Galaxy Note 9 stylus has even more possibilities.
However, many are quite capable of living without handwriting. If this applies to you, you'll only need a stylus to click a button while you're thinking about something.
The Galaxy Note 8 was Samsung's first with a dual rear camera setup. Given the skills of this sensor manufacturer, no one was surprised that the device contains very high-quality cameras. They remain so to this day. However, competitors are not asleep and offer even more interesting solutions.
The Pixel 2 smartphones came out a few months after the Galaxy Note 8 and became the best camera phones. Samsung's excellent optics proved unable to compete with Google's HDR+ image processing. In addition, Pixel 2 devices contain a separate Visual Core chip to perform complex image processing algorithms in third-party applications. Then the Huawei P20 Pro smartphone was released with a triple camera, which are not on the body for beauty. As a result, this device has become a leader in photographic capabilities.
Samsung itself released the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones in the first half of this year. There was a variable aperture, which improved the quality of shooting in low light compared to the Galaxy Note 8. In daylight, photos look about the same.
Galaxy Note 8 came out with Android 7 Nougat and received an update to Android 8 Oreo in 2018. Some functionality and optimizations have appeared there. The developers have proposed a new style of clock on the Always On Display screen. It's now easier to send animated GIFs from your stock Samsung keyboard. You can install multiple instances of instant messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram. This list can be continued for a long time.
Why is the Galaxy Note 8 software classified as a disadvantage? It's all about the frequency of updates. Galaxy Note 8 came out with Android 7.1.1 and hasn't even received Android 8.1 in a year. Who knows when Android 9.0 will appear on it and whether it will appear at all.
Smartphone batteries degrade over time. However, after the appearance of Android Oreo, Galaxy Note 8 devices began to work noticeably less without a power outlet. At first, the smartphone could function for a day and a half. Then the autonomy dropped and the device can discharge by 20% overnight.
Duration of work
Charging time
Many users have reported this, so this is not an isolated incident. Despite resetting the settings to factory defaults and cleaning everything possible, energy consumption remained elevated. One of the latest copies of the Galaxy Note 8 that Samsung provided for comparison does not have such problems. Perhaps the company changed something during the production process, but this will not help the owner of earlier versions.
Based on reviews and feedback from Galaxy Note 9 owners, we can say that there are no revolutionary changes in it. The camera has received a couple of new software features compared to the Galaxy S9+ cameras. Storage volumes of 128 and 512 GB are offered. The battery capacity is 4000 mAh, which can be called the most significant improvement in the new model.
You can also pay attention to the new stylus capabilities. It can now act as a remote control so you can scroll through images, control video and audio playback, and more. Perhaps this general-purpose functionality will make smartphones with a stylus more popular.
However, the price difference between the two generations of Galaxy Note is 20,000 rubles. Buyers will have to decide whether the latest model's changes are worth the difference. For unpretentious users, the Galaxy Note 8 will be more than enough for a long time.
Our Internet project has at its disposal a new premium smartphone from Samsung - the Galaxy Note 8. In technical terms, the new product is an organic continuation of the flagship Samsung Galaxy S8. Among the differences are the screen diagonal increased to 6.3 inches, the function of drawing using the S Pen stylus supplied in the kit, a dual camera, 6 GB of RAM, and a more austere appearance. At the start of sales, the price of the device is like that of a powerful laptop - from 69,990 rubles. Is the Note 8 capable of becoming a full-fledged computer replacement, and is it that good?
The story of spontaneously combusting Note 7 batteries last year did not stop the Korean company's plans to develop a line of ultra-large smartphones. Painstaking work was carried out and now Samsung has assured that there will be no problems with the new Note 8 model. 146% guarantee!
The new product itself turned out to be extremely interesting and rich in functionality. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has a strict appearance, and the glass and metal body has IP68 protection against dust and water. The most interesting visible detail of the device was the 6.3-inch screen with curved edges on the sides. In terms of hardware, the new product can boast of the most powerful hardware: an eight-core Exynos 8895 processor, Mali-G71 graphics, 6 GB of RAM. The built-in memory is 64 GB, it can be supplemented with microSD memory cards (cards up to 250 GB are supported).
The smartphone supports all wireless communications - LTE Cat.16, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, Samsung Pay. The main camera received a double module - 12 megapixels each, with the ability to record in 4K, optical stabilization and a dozen special modes. Front camera 8 megapixels. To unlock your smartphone, you can use the built-in fingerprint scanner, as well as the iris and face recognition sensor. The device comes with a pre-installed Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system with Clean UI shell. According to Samsung, the device can be updated to the latest versions of Android, including Android 8 Oreo.
Thanks to the DeX docking station, your phone can be turned into a full-fledged computer or something similar. This is especially true, taking into account the price of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 at 70 thousand rubles.
| Characteristic | Description |
| Case materials: | Aluminum (7000 series), Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Housing protection: |
rated IP68 from water up to 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 meters |
| Screen: | curved on both sides SuperAMOLED, 6.3-inch diagonal, resolution 1440x2960 pixels (521 ppi), adaptive color and brightness adjustment, color correction, AlwaysOn Display function |
| CPU: | 64-bit Exynos 8895 (4 cores up to 2.35 GHz, 4 cores up to 1.9 GHz) 10 nm |
| GPU: | Mali-G71 |
| RAM: | 6 GB (LPDDR4) |
| Flash memory: | 64 GB (52.3 GB user accessible) + microSD memory card slot (up to 256 GB) |
| Mobile connection: | 2G (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), 3G (850/900/1900/2100 MHz), 4G (including LTE 800, 1800, 2600) |
| SIM card type: | Two nanoSIM cards, one of which is combined with a memory card slot |
| Communications and ports: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz), NFC, USB Type C, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5 mm headset, ANT+, Samsung Pay, S Pen, handwriting recognition, 2048 pressure levels, application for drawing and notes |
| Navigation: | GPS, AGPS, GLONASS |
| Sensors: | Light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer/gyroscope, barometer, digital compass, fingerprint scanner, iris scanner, face scanner, vibration sensor, heart rate sensor |
| Main camera: | Dual, both modules are 12 megapixels, f/1.7, autofocus, LED flash, 4K video recording, optical stabilizer |
| Front-camera: | 8 MP, autofocus, f/1.7, 1/3.6” |
| Battery: | non-removable, 3300 mAh, built-in WPC/PMA wireless charging, fast charging in 65 minutes |
| Dimensions, weight: | 162.5x74.8x8.6 mm, 195 grams |
| Operating system: | Android 7.1.1 Nougat with proprietary Clean UI shell |
| Case colors: | black (Midnight Black), gold (Maple Gold), blue (Blue Saphire) |
The premium quality of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N950) is visible in absolutely everything, including the packaging. Thus, the device is supplied in a box made of thick black cardboard with magnets and a dust jacket. On the reverse side is a summary of the technical specifications. The model name is printed on the front. There is no image of the gadget.
In the box you can see the device itself, as well as:
Charger plug adapter with USB connector
Cable for synchronizing with a computer USB - USB Type C
microUSB to USB Type-C adapter (OTG adapter for connecting external devices)
AKG stereo headset with 3.5 mm miniJack connector
SIM card tray clip
Instructions, warranty card
If we take average data with a mixed mode of use, we get two days of battery life. Those who use only calls can easily count on 4 days of work. In terms of autonomy, the device differs for the better from the vast majority of Android smartphones.
The device has several energy saving modes. Some of them limit the brightness of the screen backlight and processor frequency. In this scenario, the operating time will increase by at least 20%. There is an extreme (maximum) energy saving mode. In this case, the screen displays only white and gray colors, all applications except telephone communications, SMS, calendar and alarm clocks are disabled.
The phone has a fast charging feature. The battery is fully charged in 1 hour 5 minutes. There is also built-in wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 comes pre-installed with Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system and Clean UI.
Smartphone owners have access to all Samsung proprietary programs, including S Health for monitoring physical activity and health, Bixby voice assistant, gesture support, KNOX - for separating data into personal and work, etc. The missing programs can be downloaded from the Samsung App Store and Google Play. The model supports the Samsung Pay service.
The smartphone contains gesture control functions and S Pen drawing capabilities that can make everyday use easier and more convenient. So, there is support for one-handed control and gestures.
Smart Capture lets you take a screenshot of even hidden areas of the screen, which is useful when you need to capture an entire web page or when text doesn't fit on one screen.
Using the Game Launcher and Game Tools applications, you can disable touch control buttons during the game, which will prevent accidental clicks, quickly respond to a message without minimizing the game, or completely block any notifications.
As I noted just above, the S Pen is located at the bottom of the Galaxy Note 8. It has a thinner tip, improved pressure sensitivity, and new features and functions. Here are some of them.
The Animated Messages feature lets you share animated texts or pictures with friends across platforms that support animated GIFs.
On-Screen Notepad allows you to store up to 100 pages of notes on your phone, which you can take immediately after removing the S Pen, pin notes to when the screen is off, and easily edit them later.
There is also an improved translation feature using the S Pen. It allows you to quickly translate not only individual words, but also entire sentences in 71 languages, as well as convert foreign currencies and units of measurement. To do this, just point the electronic pen at the desired word on the smartphone screen.
S Voice has become Bixby. Samsung fully believes that its development will become something similar to Siri, Cortana or Google Assistant. In addition to standard recognition of voice commands, Bixby looks at the context in which the request is pronounced, that is, user behavior; the application that is open at this moment; location, etc. In fact, Bixby works with Big Data that your smartphone accumulates.
Currently, Bixby's current features cannot be called intelligent. The prediction system works correctly only in every second case. To train it, you need millions of people to start using Bixby; in such systems it doesn’t happen otherwise - the more they use it, the better they become.
According to analysts, a full-fledged version of Bixby with voice commands, prompts, and more will be released only in December 2017, along with updating the device to Android 8. So we're waiting.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has a dual main camera. These are two sensors of 12 megapixels each. One of them is a 1/2.55” matrix with a wide-angle lens (f/1.7), the second is a 1/3.6” telephoto (f/2.4), and it is this one that provides double optical zoom. There is phase detection autofocus and optical image stabilization. Thanks to the increased system performance and the fact that the camera module received its own memory, a comfortable Burst Mode appeared. This mode allows you to take several dozen pictures in a row. In addition, the camera focuses on objects faster.
The camera takes slightly better quality pictures in difficult lighting conditions. In the settings you can find additional shooting modes, including PRO. Otherwise, improvements in camera performance are not so significant compared to its predecessors.
The camera interface is made in the traditional Samsung style. There are many settings and preset modes, including self-portrait, panorama, night, continuous shooting, HDR and GIF creation. Video capabilities allow shooting in 4K. In FullHD you can choose a frame rate of 60 or 30 frames per second. There is optical stabilization.
In manual mode, ISO settings are available at 50, 100, 200, 400, 800. The following shooting modes are available: single shot, smile detection, continuous, panorama, vintage, portrait, landscape, night mode, sports, indoor, beach/snow, sunset, dawn, autumn colors, fireworks, text, twilight, against the light.
The front camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels. It is quite photosensitive (f/1.7), has a 1/3.6” matrix, and has autofocus. When taking a selfie, you can adjust your skin tone, face shape, and eye size. There is also a panoramic selfie function, although the optics are already wide-angle - you can capture a small company without special modes.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a prime example of a very interesting premium device. It is clear that very wealthy people can afford it. The device is addressed primarily to creative and business audiences. For the former, the opportunity to draw on the device’s screen, as well as take photographs and shoot videos of the highest quality, will come in handy. The dual main camera here is very good. For the latter, a smartphone is suitable for working outside a stationary workplace. The function of multiple windows in different applications is conveniently implemented here, the ability to take some notes using the S Pen stylus, as well as very respectable battery life even under extreme load.
The advantages of the device include the gorgeous 6.3-inch screen, which occupies almost the entire front part. In addition, the device has high-performance hardware with a large amount of RAM and built-in memory. The user interface flies, heavy games and videos work without lag. There is a mode for working with VR helmets and augmented reality programs.
I would also note protection against dust and water according to class IP68. This allows the smartphone to be at a depth of up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. This, of course, does not mean that the phone can be washed under water, much less tested for water resistance in a washing machine. But if you drop it in water, nothing will happen to it. Convenient features include facial recognition, iris scanner, gesture control, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, Samsung Pay.
By default, users have access to the S Health application to monitor their physical activity, and KNOXX to create a protected data area. The main camera was also at a high level.
Among the disadvantages is the risk of breaking your smartphone from the first fall on asphalt or stones. But in most cases, the screen tolerates falls without consequences. Much more critical was the transfer of the fingerprint scanner to the back panel of the smartphone. Because of this, using Samsung Pay has become unusual. Another disadvantage is the memory card slot combined with one of the SIM cards.
When it comes to potential competitors for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the only one that comes to mind is the iPhone 8 Plus. Both devices have comparable camera quality and performance. However, Note 8 looks more interesting in terms of appearance and various technical features. The Samsung device is more versatile. You don’t need to buy accessories costing 7-9 thousand rubles for wireless charging or listening to music at home.
Advantages
High-quality assembly and stylish appearance
Great big screen
High performance
Support LTE cat. 16
Water and dust protection
Dual SIM support
AKG headphones included
Face scanner and iris scanner
High quality camera
Flaws
Inconvenient location of the fingerprint scanner
High price
Combined slot for SIM cards and memory cards
On the day of publication of this test review, you could buy a Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SM-N950) at a price of 69,990 rubles.
Widget from SocialMartThe Internet project site expresses gratitude to the MegaFon retail network for organizing testing of the device.
According to the results of our test, Galaxy Note 8 surpassed everyone: it is currently the largest, most expensive (price tag is 69,990 rubles) and the best Samsung smartphone. However, its size compared to the Galaxy S8 Plus and iPhone 7 Plus can still be called moderate. The real highlights of the device are the wonderful frameless display, as well as a camera with two lenses and 2x zoom. We also liked the new functionality of the S Pen stylus. As for the size of the built-in memory, Samsung, due to the high cost of the device, could have been a little more generous. It’s also a pity that at the start of sales, the device only runs Android 7, and not the new Android 8 Oreo.
Incredibly elegant yet waterproof design
Extra-large AMOLED display with QHD resolution
Dual lens camera with lots of extra features
New, practical S Pen features
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After the Galaxy Note 7 battery disaster, expectations for the new Galaxy Note 8 are very high. To avoid new problems, Samsung has reduced the battery capacity by 200 mAh compared to the previous model, meaning the battery capacity is now 3300 mAh.
The story with the battery of the new Note 8 is all the more surprising since even the minimally “smaller” Galaxy S8 Plus offers 3500 mAh. The above changes are reflected in the online battery test results: the Galaxy Note 8 achieves a good 9 hours 54 minutes, but the Galaxy S8 Plus can last more than one hour longer. Thanks to the support of fast charging technology, the battery fully restores its energy reserves in 113 minutes - that's fast.
The elegant smartphone is undoubtedly a high-performance smartphone. The Galaxy Note 8, like the S8 and S8 Plus, is powered by an eight-core Exynos 8895 processor clocked at a maximum of 2.3 GHz. Despite this sameness, the Galaxy Note 8 was still slightly faster in our performance tests. In particular, it loaded and displayed a fairly resource-intensive test web page in a remarkable 5.4 seconds (both S8 models took approximately 8.5 seconds). However, the Note 8, unlike the Galaxy S8, comes with 6 GB of RAM, not 4 GB. It is difficult to say whether more memory provides higher performance, but in any case this allows us to look into the future with confidence.
Note 8 color options
The Note 8 has a supremely elegant look that we liked as soon as we picked it up. Despite all its elegance, thanks to the IP86 protection standard, the case is also waterproof. The mobile phone fits well in the hand, but with its 162 mm it turns out to be very long. Not only does it now not fit very comfortably, if at all, into your pants pocket, but there is also a slight overweight of the upper part if you hold the smartphone by the lower part while typing.
Placed next to the dual camera, the fingerprint scanner has moved significantly to the top. You need to hold the device at least in the middle to reach the sensor with your finger. Since so many users hold their smartphones closer to the bottom, this can cause some inconvenience. We had to fumble for the sensor before we could use it. However, you can do without this scanner by using facial recognition systems or an iris scanner to unlock your smartphone. Everything worked reliably on the device we tested. Although some users have proven that the facial recognition system can be fooled using a printed image, we were unable to reproduce this trick.
The iris scanner is safer, and thanks to the infrared sensor it functions even in complete darkness, but when using it you need to keep your face directly in front of the phone (at a distance of about 25 cm). If you enable the facial recognition system, you can act more at ease - it works even with a slight tilt of the head, loose hair, headphones and even glasses - we tried all of them.
Display: frameless and with QHD resolution The main focus of the new product is, of course, the so-called “Infinity” display with an ultra-wide (2960x1440 pixels) resolution and a 6.3-inch diagonal. Fonts, symbols and images look extremely sharp on the display, with rich, vibrant colors typical of AMOLED technology. The screen displays about 150 percent of the RGB color space and in manual mode is capable of achieving a good maximum brightness of approximately 484 cd/m2. But even with automatic control, it switches to “turbo mode” of brightness when direct sunlight hits the corresponding sensor. In this case, with more than 700 cd/m2, the display begins to glow so brightly that there are no problems at all with reading the content.
Other models of the Galaxy family from Samsung operate in a similar way. Compared to the S8 and S8 Plus, however, we measured a slightly lower staggered contrast ratio (which is hardly noticeable).
In short: a frameless large display visually gives a smartphone a lot and is really pleasing to the eye. But such a large AMOLED panel has another advantage: you can use two applications at the same time, for example, WhatsApp and Google Maps side by side. But the “Splitscreen” function does not work with every application.
Splitscreen function on the screen: practical, but limited by the number of applications that support it Samsung has also worked hard on the camera of its new product. Note 8 became the first smartphone from this manufacturer with a dual camera, and with optical image stabilization for each lens. The main matrix works with a “fast” maximum aperture value of F1.7. In combination with the second matrix, you can smoothly blur the background so that the object located in the center of the image appears to move into the foreground. A similar function is already available in smartphones such as the iPhone 7 Plus or OnePlus 5, but not with such a fine gradation of blur intensity. During testing, everything worked very smoothly, our tester really came to the fore.
We also liked the 2x “optical” zoom with F2.4 aperture. Since both sensors work with lenses of different focal lengths, the tele-sensor allows you to shoot scenes with 2x magnification in very good quality. The results are convincing: compared to digital enlargement of photographs taken with a standard lens, the image quality is significantly higher. Anyone who wants to photograph distant objects must touch the small “2x” symbol on the display. However, a “regular” lens, compared to one that magnifies images, allows you to take even more beautiful pictures.
When tested within the walls of our laboratory, photographs taken both in daylight and at dusk turned out to be convincing. Essentially, their quality is at the same high level as that of the Galaxy S8. It achieves better quality in low light, however, which in this regard can be said to play in a league of its own.
Stepless background blur control: very smooth during the test What makes a Galaxy Note a true Note? That's right, stylus. Thus, Note 8 also has an “electronic pen” that you can completely hide in the body. It does, however, leave a somewhat plastic feeling, and its small activation button is not very convenient. Here we would like to see a higher quality accessory.
Samsung has integrated new features that are partly already familiar to us from the Tab S tablet. For example, one of these features is called “Screen off Memo”. With it, you can make handwritten notes directly on the locked screen, for example, make a shopping list or mark items already added to the cart. In addition, such notes immediately catch your eye as soon as you pick up your smartphone. Another interesting feature is real-time translation. So, you can translate individual words and entire sentences over which you hold the tip of the S Pen. Although the function is quite interesting, the quality of translation of sentences cannot be called excellent. In addition, this small stylus needs to be held above the screen for more than one moment - the system could work faster.
Live translation: Note 8 translates entire phrases Note 8 is the most expensive mobile phone from Samsung: you will have to shell out about 70 thousand rubles. Such a price tag can make a significant hole in the budget. Therefore, it can be considered reasonable to think that if the user is able to live without the S Pen stylus and dual camera, then in the Galaxy S8 Plus he will be able to find a no worse, but noticeably more affordable alternative. By the way, along with the regular version, Samsung also sells a model that supports the Dual-SIM function.
Those who pre-order before September 21 will receive a free Samsung Dex docking station. Otherwise, you will have to pay extra for it later. In this case, we are talking about a device that does not represent inductive charging, but makes it possible to use the phone as a desktop computer. This approach makes sense primarily for games, for example if you want to play at home on a big screen. Working with office applications will also be noticeably more convenient.
Golden case: suitable for the immodest price tag of almost 70 thousand rubles. Display: 6.3 inches, 2960 x 1440 pixels (QHD)
Dimensions, weight: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6 mm, 195 grams
Display type: AMOLED, frameless
CPU: Exynos 8895, 10nm, eight cores, 64 bit, 2.3 GHz
RAM: 6 GB
Built-in memory: 64 GB
SIM: Dual-SIM / Single-SIM
Main camera: dual camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels, optical image stabilizer for each lens, optical Zoom (2x). Wide-angle lens aperture: F1.7, Tele-lens aperture: F2.4
Front-camera: 8 megapixels, F1.7 aperture
S-Pen functions: Screen Off mode, Live translation, etc.
Battery: 3.300 mAh
Operating system: Android 7.1.1
Interfaces: WLAN a/b/g/n/ac, USB Type C, Bluetooth 5.0, LTE Cat16, NFC, audio jack
Colors: blue (glossy), gray (matte), gold (matte), black (glossy)
Price: 69990 rub.
Galaxy Note 8: an expensive top-level smartphone 
Almost as good and just as big, but noticeably cheaper - this is.
Unlike the Galaxy Note 8, you'll have to give up the stylus and dual-camera setup, but the S8 Plus offers slightly better battery life.
| Price-quality ratio | 68 |
| OS during testing | Android 8.0 |
| Weight | 195 |
| Height x width | 163 x 75 mm; |
| Thickness | 8.8 mm; |
| Screen: diagonal | 6.3 inches |
| Screen: size in mm | 71 x 144 mm; |
| Screen: type | OLED |
| Screen: resolution | 1.440 x 2.960 pixels |
| Screen: Dot Density | 521 ppi |
| Screen: max. brightness | 715.0 cd/m² |
| Screen: staggered contrast in a dark room | 142:1 |
| Download speed: PDF 5 MB via WLAN | 19.8 s |
| Download speed: chip.de test chart via WLAN | 10.3 s |
| CPU | Samsung Exynos 9 Octa 8895 |
| CPU frequency | 2.300 MHz |
| Number of CPU cores | 4+4 |
| RAM capacity | 6 GB |
| Battery: capacity | 3.300 mAh |
| Battery: surfing time | 8:48 h:min |
| Battery: charging time | 1:53 h:min |
| Fast charging function | Yes |
| Battery: discharging time/charging time | 4,7 |
| Wireless charging function | Yes |
| WLAN | 802.11n, ac |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| LTE: frequencies | 800, 1.800, 2.600 MHz |
| LTE: speed | up to 1,000 Mbit/s |
| Camera: resolution | 12.2 megapixels |
| Camera: measured resolution | 1,489 line pairs |
| Camera: expert assessment of image quality | Very good |
| Camera: VN1 noise | 1.8 VN1 |
| Camera: Optical Image Stabilizer | Yes |
| Camera: autofocus | Yes |
| Video resolution | 3.840 x 2.160 pixels |
| Front camera: resolution | 8.0 megapixels |
| LED indicator | multicolor |
| SIM card type | Nano-SIM |
| Dual SIM | - |
| Protection against dust and moisture (IP certificate) | IP68 |
| Biometric unlocking | fingerprint sensor, iris scanner, face recognition |
| User accessible memory | 64 GB |
| Free memory | 51.9 GB |
| Memory card slot | Yes |
| USB connector | Type-C-USB 3.1 |
| Bluetooth | 5 |
| NFC | Yes |
| Headphone output | 3.5mm socket |
| SAR | 0.34 W/kg |
| Firmware version during testing | N950FXXU3CRC1 |
| Test date | 2017-09-11 |
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 camera review - the best dual camera in 2017. I can endlessly criticize the ergonomics of the Galaxy Note 8 case, but what cannot be taken away from the phone is the excellent quality of the camera. This will be discussed in this review.
Many people like to criticize the software shell of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and its clumsiness compared to bare Android, but Samsung developers have made great progress in certain elements.
We'll talk about the Galaxy Note 8 camera app, which, in my opinion, is one of the most convenient and fastest among current premium smartphones. A clear, clean user interface with a well-thought-out settings menu completes the pleasant experience.
Of all the camera applications that I have seen and tested, probably only the Leica application in Huawei flagships () is implemented objectively better. It makes it easier to access manual settings, and it’s easier to enable additional modes.
I was able to find only two obvious mistakes in the design of the Note 8 camera interface:
Otherwise, the design and ergonomics of the Galaxy Note 8 (and other Samsung flagships) camera app are pleasing. For everyday shooting, the Note 8 camera will be convenient to use.
I would like to note the decision of the Samsung developers to put all the settings for the photo and video parts in one window. The settings for the front camera are also stored there. In my opinion, this is convenient because you don’t need to navigate through all the windows in all modes, but you can immediately customize each mode for yourself in one settings window.
Minor missteps in the Galaxy Note 8's camera interface become almost unnoticeable against the backdrop of its impressive functionality. Let's look at all the chips in order.
Auto mode. In this mode, the Galaxy Note 8 camera app has minimal capabilities. Samsung is focusing on the Bixby camera, Dynamic Focus and Stickers.
You can turn the flash on/off, switch to the front camera and open settings. It is possible to enable the interface without black frames.
Clicking circle x2 activates the telephoto lens. Switching from one camera to another occurs almost instantly, and this also applies to video shooting.
Now more about Stickers and Dynamic Focus:
Stickers- these are essentially interactive masks, like those in Snapchat or Instagram Stories. There are quite a few stickers, but why they are needed in a business-oriented smartphone for 70,000 rubles is unclear.
Will a respectable guy seriously play with stickers and put deer antlers on his head? I don't think so, it's more like Samsung's marketing team is in disarray.
Dynamic focus- This is portrait mode. When activated, the background is blurred, and the subject is highlighted using software methods. To take a photo with dynamic focusing, you need to stand at a distance of 1.2 meters from the subject.
Portrait mode works quickly and rarely makes mistakes if the background is not too complex. Artifacts may appear on a non-uniform background (foliage, flowers, contrasting areas).
As I said above, you can start shooting video directly from Auto mode, just click on the corresponding button and it will start recording immediately. The interface is as simple as possible - this is both good and bad at the same time. For ordinary users, this approach will be as convenient as possible, but advanced users will feel a lack of features (like manual focusing, sound settings, etc., like the LG G6).
While shooting video, you can move from one camera to another by pressing circle x2.
About the mode. The manual camera mode of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is implemented in the best traditions of flagship Android smartphones. In addition to standard things like changing exposure, shutter speed, focusing range and ISO, here you can play with the focusing area (several focusing points or one in the center). There is also exposure metering, as in “adult” cameras - matrix, spot and center-weighted. I recommend using the latter.
Panorama. Built-in application that builds horizontal panoramas. Gluing goes quickly, if you do not shake the phone, you can achieve good results.
Slow motion. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 camera shoots slow-motion video at 240 frames per second in HD resolution. Sparsely against the backdrop of the coolest slow-mo, quite within the limits of the flagships of 2017.
Hyperlapse. Samsung has made dual hyperlapse and timelapse in one mode, so accelerated videos can be shot both handheld and on a tripod.
Food. A very strange mode that is designed to make food photos more appetizing. In reality it is useless.
Virtual shooting. But this opportunity really delivered. Using virtual photography, you can make 3D images of any stationary objects and even people. The resulting result can be rotated at any angle in the company gallery.
In the camera settings of the Galaxy Note 8, I noticed that the HDR algorithms apply not only to the main dual camera, but also to the front camera.
I like that you can set the resolution and shooting parameters for photos and videos directly in one window. It’s great when you don’t have to run around different windows looking for settings.
Motion snapshot is an interesting feature for gif fans. Works like Live Photos on iPhone. Record a short video clip before each photo.
There is a quick launch of the camera. Once this option is enabled, you can launch the camera by quickly double-pressing the power button.
In short, the Galaxy Note 8's camera takes excellent photos. But I think you want proofs, so there will be a bunch of example shots below.
The ability to take good photographs is the most important factor when talking about the quality of a flagship smartphone's camera. Therefore, let's start with photography.
Test shots of Samsung Galaxy Note 8.
Daytime shooting (scroll right):
Night photography:
Despite noticeable over-sharpening in some scenes, the Galaxy Note 8's camera handles white balance competently and has very fast and tenacious autofocus. The pictures always come out clear and contrasty, and if you're not a fan of fiddling with editors before sending a photo to Instagram, you'll probably consider the Galaxy Note 8's camera to be the best.
However, this is not quite true. Advanced users will immediately tell you that working with photos from the iPhone 8 Plus/7 Plus is easier than working with photos taken from the Galaxy Note 8. The iPhone takes less expressive, even faded photos, but it’s a pleasure to “twist” such photos in Snapseed. Samsung engineers took a different route, roughly speaking, by building the editor directly into the camera algorithms. Therefore, pictures on the Galaxy Note 8 always look advantageous and brighter than many other premium smartphones
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 portrait mode.
Let’s take a separate look at how the portrait mode of the Galaxy Note 8 camera works. Look how skillfully the Samsung camera algorithms (Dynamic Focus mode) highlight the subject. In my opinion, the quality of such portraits on the Galaxy Note 8 is better than on iPhones with a dual camera.
When shooting in low light, the Note 8 telephoto leaves no chance for the iPhone. Thanks to optical stabilization and faster aperture optics (F/2.4 for the Note 8 versus F/2.8 for the iPhone 8 Plus/7 Plus), the Galaxy Note 8 is the only smartphone on the market that can shoot at this level. Night portrait photography is completely beyond the Galaxy Note 8.
A less important parameter for most users, but very important for those who like to shoot video on a smartphone. Such people are ready to sacrifice quality in terms of photos, just so that video shooting is at the maximum level. Therefore, here I have collected all possible tests with different resolutions and FPS.
In each test, I used two Galaxy Note 8 cameras at once to see what the telephoto camera is capable of in comparison with the main wide-angle camera, as well as to look at the speed of switching from camera to camera and the performance of stabilization.
FHD 30 fps video recording test in a still state:
In FHD 60 fps mode, the camera does not allow switching to telephoto. I did not find an explanation for why such a limitation was set, but given the weak performance of stabilization in this mode on the main camera, Samsung engineers could have considered that there would be complete “shaking” on the TV.
Most likely, this is so, because shooting in 60 FPS mode is really difficult, there is a feeling that optical stabilization does not work in this mode, there is a very striking difference between the quality of stabilization in FHD 30 fps and FHD 60 fps.
Despite my ambivalence about Samsung smartphones and their software, I admit that their flagship cameras are some of the best on the market. This is especially true of the Galaxy Note 8 with a dual camera that is head and shoulders above the competition.
I would like to thank Samsung Service Plaza in Minsk for providing the Galaxy Note 8 sample for review. This is the most official service center and at the same time a branded store for Samsung smartphones and accessories.Samsung Service Plaza knows how to repair quickly and efficiently, and phone repairs are carried out in the presence of the client.
