The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will get a release later on in 2017. We all know this. But Samsung has now confirmed this is actually the case; and this is odd because normally handset-makers seldom utter anything about new handsets before they’re official.
But then Samsung has a lot of achievements to unlock in 2017. For starters, it has to beat Apple’s iPhone 8; second, make up for last year’s Note 7; and, finally, it needs to reassert itself as the de facto king of the phone space.
Samsung’s Galaxy S8 launch went swimmingly; reviews were extremely positive, our’s included, and analysts expect Samsung to sell a record number of Galaxy S8 units in 2017/18.
The company, however, is keen to do the same with its Galaxy Note 8 handset as well – this is likely why it is already talking-up the handset in official press releases.
“As for the year ahead,” said Samsung in a press release, “Samsung anticipates market demand in smartphones to slightly increase with solid replacement demand growth in the mid- to high-end segment.”
It added: “However, competition is expected to intensify with newly launched smartphones in the market. The company will aim to improve performance YoY by maximizing sales of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ and successfully launching a new flagship smartphone in the second half. In addition, the company will maintain profitability in the mid- to low-end segment.”
The “new flagship smartphone”, in case you were wondering, is the Galaxy Note 8. Samsung acknowledged the handset earlier on in 2017 as well, saying it was working on making the Galaxy Note 8 a safer, more innovative release than its predecessor.
Normally, Samsung’s Note releases tend to be more exciting than its Galaxy S one’s. And this year’s Galaxy Note 8 seems certain to carry on that tradition. Expect massive specs, a new design and likely some of the best imaging ever from its new camera tech.
One of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s key USPs could well be a 4K display, which is designed not only to enhance media viewing on the handset but also VR when used in conjunction with one of Samsung’s GEAR VR headsets.
If Samsung manages to fit a 4K AMOLED panel inside the Galaxy Note 8 it will be a rather big deal, as no one – save for Sony – has managed to do this yet. Will Samsung’s upcoming Note 8 be the first Galaxy device to go 4K?
Here’s what Business Korea had to say on the matter: “Samsung will introduce 2K resolution displays in the Galaxy S8, but it will use 4K resolution displays in the Galaxy Note 8 to realize improved virtual reality (VR) functions. I heard that it will connect with new Gear VR wearable.”
There are plenty of questions surrounding the Galaxy Note 8. Things like whether Samsung will alter the design much or what type of CPU it will use. All of these are things we’ll likely learn more about in the coming months.
But one thing is certain about the Galaxy Note 8: Samsung cannot just rehash the Galaxy S8 with S-Pen support. That simply will not do. In order to do battle with Apple’s iPhone 8, the Galaxy Note 8 will need to have many, unique USPs.
Things like a curved, 4K AMOLED panel and a new, ultra-slim design will help, though not if it comes at the expense of battery life. Basically, Samsung has to push the boundaries without impinging on the outgoing handset’s performance.
There has been plenty of talk about Samsung releasing a foldable Android phone called the Samsung Galaxy X. And this could still happen in 2017, though it is more likely to be a smaller release and not a “flagship” release.
Multiple sources have confirmed that Samsung will “test the waters” with a limited run of Galaxy X handsets in 2017 in order to access demand before committing to mass production.
This leaves the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which is for all intents and purposes Samsung’s other flagship line, next to the Galaxy S brand devices. Reports suggest Samsung is keen to fix some of the Galaxy S8’s faults with the Galaxy Note 8 – so, a working version of Bixby, dual-lens camera setup and no glitches with the display.
