Samsung Galaxy Note8 hands-on review: First impressions

23 August 2017
The successor to the Samsung Galaxy Note 4/5 is finally here - meet the Galaxy Note8. Wait, what? Okay, Europeans didn’t get the Note5 because Samsung, and we all know how the Note7 lived a shorter product life than it deserved. So in a way, a few of us Note lovers have been stuck with three-year-old Notes, looking at some poor S-Pen-less S7 edges and S8s to fill the void.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • 0UZ
  • 23 Aug 2017

AnonD-80165, 23 Aug 2017I'm changing my S8+ over this, just for the s-pen, and look... moreCongratulation to you than :)
But you are in minority of people who actually use the pen,most of them doesnt even bother with it ;)

    • t
    • tRv
    • 3Yb
    • 23 Aug 2017

    The only things hate it about Note 8 the desgin kinda look like Samsung refrigerator :(

      • D
      • AnonD-80165
      • JuH
      • 23 Aug 2017

      Anonymous, 23 Aug 2017Reading all the comments,I could agree with majority of peo... moreI'm changing my S8+ over this, just for the s-pen, and looking at the cameras as a bonus.

      Since note 5 I miss my spen so much!

        • D
        • Droid
        • CAj
        • 23 Aug 2017

        Sony Fanboy Bitches, 23 Aug 2017G6 vs V30 -LCD vs OLED -f1.8 main camera vs f1.6 main cam... moreLmao!! You call it innovations!! Hahaha please stop kidding !!

          Well, i like the Note 7's design more than this, this one is too boxy and i prefer the coral blue over the deep sea blue.

            Wow, so I thought everybody likes Samsung.

            Now I'm reading lots of criticisms for their faults.
            I think the whole world must wake up and realize the things that these people have said.
            Samsung has just turned around and become like Apple

            Larger screen with smaller than the already "too small" battery of the S8+,

              Will there be a "Fan edition" for this model?

                Droid, 23 Aug 2017So what is the innovation of lg v30 comparend to lg g6??G6 vs V30
                -LCD vs OLED
                -f1.8 main camera vs f1.6 main camera
                -SD821 vs SD835
                -3300mAh vs 3500mAh (maybe?)
                -Region-dependent Quad DAC vs globally available Quad DAC

                At least these changes are worth more than anything that Samsung has provided.

                  No 3D audio recording, but at least nothing blows up. But I wish they made some ar stuff. Seems like main player going to be S9 again. Well at least we (in EU) get finally note and tele camera as bonus, not having any change would be worse, but still its hard to see any other changes from S8.

                    • D
                    • Daniel W
                    • S3f
                    • 23 Aug 2017

                    farhaan, 23 Aug 2017its a failure as compared to s8+. it has nothing new except... moreWell, I just preordered one today, and I'm hardly alone. Ever since I saw the first Note, any smartphone without a proper S-pen (or similar - but there are none) just doesn't cut it for me. They feel like being forced to draw with a typewriter.

                      From pictures alone i can already see it's massively gorgeous. Ive been looking to replace my note 4 and now it can finally rest.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • vGu
                        • 23 Aug 2017

                        Martin, 23 Aug 2017Iphone will record 4k 60 FPS and have stereo speakers BUT the iPhone will have iOS :(

                          • D
                          • Droid
                          • CAj
                          • 23 Aug 2017

                          Trolls trolls trolls haters haters haters. Nothing new nothing new nothing new just s8 with spen. But which brand offer new features to latest flagships. Nothing. so stop trolling. What did you expect. Phone with radioactive bomb!! Gunshot inside?? Or 64giga ram with 4k screen?? Every years the same comments nothing new nothing new. 5 months between s8 and note 8 but you want alien technologies inside note 8. So tell me the difference between s2 -note1 s3-note 2. S4-note 3 or s6-note 5. The only year of real improvement was s5-note 4. Post yours prefered brands and explain us the year on year real improvements.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-694375
                            • Ibx
                            • 23 Aug 2017

                            Bad ... too disappointed
                            Even IR got removed !!

                            Note8 nothibg but trash ... i will keep my note 4!
                            The only change in caneras and RAM!

                            Why the hell they removed IR!

                            I hate Samsung and Iphones company, they can't come with teal idea!!!

                              • n
                              • note 1>2>4 use
                              • smH
                              • 23 Aug 2017

                              The 'app pair' thing isn't new. I have it on my Note 4, and I'm quite sure I had it in the Note 2 as well. The translator and off memo isn't new either although Samsung keeps pumping those features in adverts like they are.
                              Bout dat screen.. I hoped the rumors weren't true and we will finally get some 4k shine. yeah yeah "you cant see the difference" people say, but that is about the same thing people used to say about FHD and QHD back in the day.

                              Anyway, seems like the only real difference in here are the new camera(s) and the screen ratio/design language of the S8, with a nasty 1000EUR price tag attached. Dont know how I feel about it

                                Well, at least that 2:1 screen got some meaningful usage with the 2:1 camera aspect ratio...guess its at 7 mpx.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-224180
                                  • X}$
                                  • 23 Aug 2017

                                  Wooow
                                  I skipped S8 but will go for Note8.

                                  One question here, does it have dedicated SD card slot in dual sim variant?

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 04H
                                    • 23 Aug 2017

                                    Samsung be like: With Note 8 you can use multiwindow! Haha recycling of features much? Much too much

                                      resistible. I will wait for the RED phone

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-468436
                                        • g8a
                                        • 23 Aug 2017

                                        as always ridicilous oversharpening