Sure looks pretty, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 which was unofficially announced by JK Shin the head of Samsung Mobile back in January has today been made official. The 8″ Tablet which features the same Wacom digitizer based S-Pen input of all the Note line will be released globally in Quarter 2 this year.
Samsung describes the Note 8 as something that will ‘re-ignite the mid-size tablet category’. Whilst the spec list is pretty decent I wouldn’t be calling it an insanely over-specced tablet. The Note 8 includes the ability to take phone calls on your tablet which is not much of a stretch for a 3G enabled tablets as it phone calls utilise the same radio component that delivers data.
Galaxy Note 8 Specs :
- 8″ 1280×800 resolution TFT display(189ppi)
- 1.6GHz Quad-Core Samsung Exynos 4 CPU
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB or 32GB of internal storage with microSD Card support
- 5MP Rear Camera with 1.2MP Front Facing Camera
- Android 4.1.2(Touchwiz)
- 3G enabled HSPA+ 21 (850/900/1900/2100MHz)- With voice calls (LTE Also coming at some stage) – microSIM
- 4,600mAh battery
- 210.8mmx135.9mmx7.95mm @ 338grams
The emphasis for the Note 8 is on the software with the newest version of Touchwiz offering all the features we’ve seen in the Premium Suite rolled out to other Note models such as multi-window as well as all the S-Pen related software that Note owners love as well as for the first time on a Samsung Galaxy tablet Flipboard, and Awesome Note.
Samsung has also included Smart Remote which they describe as ‘a universal remote control and electronic programming guide allowing you to manage TV and video watching seamlessly’ which works with the in-built IR Blaster. I like the idea of the in-built IR Blaster and it’s great to see it coming back onto mobile devices, for naysayers out there I understand your point but until everyones current AV equipment has other options for controlling it then IR is a necessity.
Overall, the Note 8 looks pretty good I don’t think I need the S-Pen personally but owning a Nexus 7 has taught me that this form factor is definitely the right one for taking notes and being able to hold easily in one hand. Can’t wait for further information on the local release and you can bet we’ll be speaking with Samsung Australia as soon as we can.
Are you interested in the Galaxy Note 8?
Pity about the resolution. You’d think it’d at least be equal to the Nexus 7 in those regards.
Resolution on all the Note series is locked by the digitiser’s capabilities.
Front looks alright, but I HATE the centred camera on the back. Looks really awkward on a device that size.
+1 Also burnt with the Tab 7.7 So much potential but Samsung dropped support soon after they released it. Disappointing screen resolution in an era of 1080p phones – I expected more in an 8″ screen
agreed, As a 7.7 user i cannot go for a less screen res. will keep my fingers crossed for jelly bean update for my tab.
There will be no update for the 7.7 past what is out now. The WIFI model here still has not been updated.
agreed, Also samsung must realize that 7.7 is the most expensive tablet compared to many other 10.1 tabs out there, sill struck with unofficial ICS 🙁
It is a shame that it just looks like an oversize S3/NoteII. The potential is there – but it just doesn’t have that WOW factor. Unfotuantely – Given I was burnt with the TAB 7.7, I will be staying away from any of Samsungs first release versions. The 7.7 was a brilliant looking and spec’d ( but expensive) TAB ahead of it’s time … yet it was just forgotten about / neglected … so yeah maybe when the Note 8.0 II comes it might be worth consdiering. I love Samsung Phones (Galaxy Flagships only) .. but when it comes to… Read more »
Well said Tim. Samsung burnt me on the 7.7 never buying from them again due to what they did there.
i have 7.7 too, i think its just because apple banned the 7.7 release which made all the fuss. Must kick apple butt first
Wrong, Apple didn’t ban it at all, they tried but failed. Samsung didn’t do a full rollout they gave up. Apple just did what it does, protects its 2nd rate product via court cases.
in this case it is Samsungs fault, they sold it they support it, they have dumped their customers in this case and there is no excuse.