Galaxy Note 8 Announcement and Owners' Thread

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DANOFDANGER

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#222589 19-Aug-2017 19:04

I participated in last years thread on the galaxy note 7 announcement. Thought id make a new one for the note 8 as i have not seen one yet.

The new galaxy note device is set to be announced on the 23rd of august. I am unsure if i want this years flagship, it certainly looks nice from the leaked information. However it just falls short on that "I must have it" feeling.
I have been wanting to replace my trusty note 4, but every year there is a dealbreaker.
Note 5 looked pretty good for its time, however there was no upgradeable storage or a model other than 64gb for our country. That automatically ruled it out for me.
Note 7 looked good again, there were geniune aspects that really made improvements. However it was clearly rushed to market and i returned my device before the battery drama. The battery was not the only issue and there were definite software issues that i was not happy dealing with.
Now the note 8. Looks fine, visually they have improved things but at the same time sacrificed some as well. The removal of the capacitive and mechanical functions is not an improvement imo. If you have used the new s series, the new onscreen replacent is not as tactile and provide satisfying feedback. Theres also the retarded fingerprint scanner on the back which aparently you must have E.T fingers to reach. Not as erganomic as having it on the home button like the note 7.
The performance is practically the same as the note 7, as the only improvement is in the graphics processing, which in real world use makes no difference. The only improvement is made with the addition of more ram space. I have always stated that with plenty of ram, more software can be left in the background and accessed much more quickly. A test comparing 4gb and 6gb galaxy phones shows that most apps stay open and create a seemless experience. Absolute perfection.

Some of you might not be aware but samsung have been selling refurbished and updated nouget OS, galaxy note 7. Called the FAN EDITION.
For me this year, the decision is between the galaxy note 7 FE or the galaxy note 8. The note 7 FE holds a few advantages over the note 8.

Note 7 FE PROS:
Practically same processing power.
Fingerprint Scanner on the home key (Front).
Better quality navigation keys.
Note 7 FE CONS:
3200mah battery (Note 8 Only Has 100mah More).

Note 8 PROS:
Reduced bezel size.
6gb Ram.

Note 8 CONS:
Bigger screen (Potentially Bigger Battery Drain).
E.T Fingerfrint scanner.
Awkward screen ratio (Black Bars With Videos)

Please tell me your opinions on what stands out as a good or bad feature with the new note 8. ;)

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#1848976 19-Aug-2017 20:40

I've never been a fan of the bloatware Samsung pour into their phones (including Touchwiz) but have generally always liked the hardware. I was fortunate to not get bitten by the battery issues of last year after having pre-ordered a phone through through a Duty Free store who turned out to be unable to provide it to me at the time of my travel due to shipment issues. I ended up with a Huawei Nexus 6P and, although I miss the stylus, now I don't think I'll ever go back to Samsung and all it's useless bloat.

As for the fingerprint reader being on the back of the SN8, this is what the Nexus 6P has. I find it incredibly easy to use and much prefer being able to unlock the phone with it securely cradled in one hand over having to juggle the phone or use a thumb or finger on a second hand to unlock it. Holding my phone as I normally would and turning it over, you can see the silver circle where the fingerprint reader is - super easy to move my index finger and unlock the phone or any applications (ie banking) that have fingerprint unlock enabled.

(click the thumbnail to see the full size image)

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DANOFDANGER

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#1848980 19-Aug-2017 20:52

Thanks for that information, completely agree. Thankfully most bloatware is removable (at least since the note 7 you can). The only problem is the non removable bloat such as the new bixby button and sofware. Not cool, accedentally hit that and you are promted with an irritating clunky AI.

The fingerprint sensor on other devices is pretty good, no dissagrement there. However on the galaxy devices, its way up high, by the camera and to the right. Its been mentioned over and over about its difficulty in reach. Requiring you to uncomfortably grab the device with both hands to place finger on it. Not the ideal placement like in the center of your device.

richms

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#1848991 19-Aug-2017 21:31

I'm in need of a factory reset on my note 4 because it's running like crap again. Really don't want to re set it up only to get the note 8 but looking at that screen and a rear finger print sensor and I'm probably not going to get it.

I only use the stylus to add red circles to photos pretty much. Can live without that and I don't see how I can add a bumper to the leaked phones in photos so it will get all knocked up in no time.

Also with the AliExpress extended battery on my note 4 I actually get useful life out of it without messing around carrying power banks etc. Since I've been thru 3 genuine Samsung batteries and now the extended one I have minimal faith in a sealed one and do not like the idea of being phone less while it's swapped out under warranty which they say they will during the phones 2 year warranty for all the others.

Perhaps there will be some killer feature that wins me over but I'm pretty certain if I factory restore my note 4 it will be back to being good enough for another year or so.

Richard rich.ms

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#1849003 19-Aug-2017 22:18

I will be attending the Auckland launch event, this Thursday evening. Been using Huawei devices (and HTC before) so will be interesting.

Talkiet

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#1849008 19-Aug-2017 23:09

I used to get the latest phones but after I got my Note 4 I decided there are better things to spend $1500+ on... There's nothing Samsung could do with the Note 8 that would make me upgrade except make it significantly cheaper than the Note 4 was at launch.

I'd like it, I'm sure it would be a great toy - but I can outfit my entire house with smart lights, motorised curtains, motorised blinds and temp/humidity/motion sensors in every room for less.

Cheers -N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

DANOFDANGER

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#1849012 19-Aug-2017 23:34

Yea i used to get the latest every year too. But i am a heavy user, i research all the time and i will use the s-pen features religiously. The note 4's software is holding me back a bit as it lags in a lot of places that could be potentially better if it was a lot quicker.

Dingbatt

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#1849048 20-Aug-2017 07:30

DANOFDANGER: Thanks for that information, completely agree. -snip- The only problem is the non removable bloat such as the new bixby button and sofware. Not cool, accedentally (sic) hit that and you are promted with an irritating clunky AI.

The fingerprint sensor on other devices is pretty good, no dissagrement there. However on the galaxy devices, its way up high, by the camera and to the right. Its been mentioned over and over about its difficulty in reach. Requiring you to uncomfortably grab the device with both hands to place finger on it. Not the ideal placement like in the center of your device.

It may be different with the larger Note 8 but having used the S8 for about 3 months (ish) the two problems you raise are just minor niggles really.
I have a cover on my S8 that separates the fingerprint sensor from the camera lens, making it easy to find without putting my finger on the camera. It is not an ideal location, but I assume, since it is likely to be repeated on the Note 8, that there are internal configuration reasons behind its placement. Its position falls easily to hand with a natural right handed grip. Face unlock and trusted device are what I use most of the time anyway. The fingerprint reader is really for security verifications. And hey, if the rumours are to be believed, iPhones aren't even going to have fingerprint sensors. So obviously they are on the way out (like the headphone jack).

As for the Bixby button, for its primary design purpose (i.e. starting the Bixby voice assistant) it is useless until said assistant becomes available here. However, there are remapping apps available that allow it to be repurposed in the meantime. I use one to launch Google Assistant instead. Could just as easily be used as a shutter button for the camera. Certainly now Bixby is available in the US, it has been getting favourable reviews.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Dial111

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#1849049 20-Aug-2017 07:52

Still deciding if I go iP7+ to Note 8 or to iP8

Or skip this year entirely

Actually Pixel 2 XL with a stylus would be a winner for me

DANOFDANGER

330 posts

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#1849166 20-Aug-2017 12:44

Dingbatt:

It may be different with the larger Note 8 but having used the S8 for about 3 months (ish) the two problems you raise are just minor niggles really.
I have a cover on my S8 that separates the fingerprint sensor from the camera lens, making it easy to find without putting my finger on the camera. It is not an ideal location, but I assume, since it is likely to be repeated on the Note 8, that there are internal configuration reasons behind its placement. Its position falls easily to hand with a natural right handed grip. Face unlock and trusted device are what I use most of the time anyway. The fingerprint reader is really for security verifications. And hey, if the rumours are to be believed, iPhones aren't even going to have fingerprint sensors. So obviously they are on the way out (like the headphone jack).

As for the Bixby button, for its primary design purpose (i.e. starting the Bixby voice assistant) it is useless until said assistant becomes available here. However, there are remapping apps available that allow it to be repurposed in the meantime. I use one to launch Google Assistant instead. Could just as easily be used as a shutter button for the camera. Certainly now Bixby is available in the US, it has been getting favourable reviews.

The s8 was fine when i tried it, but the s8+ is much taller and harder to reach the fingerprint sensor. I am confident fingerprint sensors are going to stay. The only reason apple have for not implementing it, is because they failed to get a on screen sensor to work as well. Their reliability and security goes beyond that of passwords that even banks recognise their benefits and implement it with their bank apps.

DANOFDANGER

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#1849168 20-Aug-2017 12:46

Dial111: Still deciding if I go iP7+ to Note 8 or to iP8

Or skip this year entirely

Actually Pixel 2 XL with a stylus would be a winner for me

Thats still a option for me as well, next years galaxys are reported to have no bezels and on screen fingerprint sensor.

sonyxperiageek

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#1851583 24-Aug-2017 04:17

Just announced! Nothing much has changed to be honest. The conference was a bit cringy though...

Sony

tripp

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#1851588 24-Aug-2017 05:41

Nice phone, nothing really jumping out to spend over 1k on it however.

eracode

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#1851592 24-Aug-2017 06:15

Samsung is giving a chunky discount to former Note7 owners in the US:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/23/samsung-galaxy-note-7-discount-note-8/

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tripp

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#1851594 24-Aug-2017 06:41

eracode:

Samsung is giving a chunky discount to former Note7 owners in the US:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/23/samsung-galaxy-note-7-discount-note-8/

I saw that as well, lets hope it turns up in NZ etc as well. Wonder if it has to do with the note 7 being activated on a samsung account.

DANOFDANGER

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#1851695 24-Aug-2017 09:23

tripp:
eracode:

Samsung is giving a chunky discount to former Note7 owners in the US:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/23/samsung-galaxy-note-7-discount-note-8/

I saw that as well, lets hope it turns up in NZ etc as well. Wonder if it has to do with the note 7 being activated on a samsung account.

Hope its nz as well, a chunky discount might sway me but at this time. Not interested.

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