Good news Samsung fans. The Galaxy Note 8 is back with a bang…well, figuratively, of course. The company announced via a global launch event in New York on Wednesday (August 23) the latest version of last year’s disastrous device, which will be officially available to consumers in Singapore from September 15 onwards.
And this time round, Samsung hopes that the new phone will explode in terms of sales, not batteries.
For that, the company has gone all-out with the Note 8. Consumers can expect a truly powerful gadget – on paper at least, with impressive specs like a snazzy 6.3-inch QHD Super AMOLED infinity display, dual 12-megapixel cameras, a medley of biometric security options, and of course, a new and improved battery.
New features include a multi-tasking mode that allows you to save apps – Netflix and your email for example – and open them up at the same time in a split screen. Besides that, the Note 8 is also the first Samsung phone to have two cameras on its rear, with a wide-angle lens shooter and a telephoto lens camera.
Both cameras will incorporate optical image stabilisation, a first in the market, and like the iPhone 7 Plus, is able to re-create that fake “bokeh” effect. There will also be a feature called Dual Capture mode, which allows users to capture their subject and save two photos simultaneously: a close-up shot and a wide-angle shot.
In addition, the Note line’s signature S Pen gets an upgrade too. With a finer tip and improved pressure sensitivity, the pen now allows users to write on the phone’s screen without unlocking it, translate languages, and last but not least; write a handwritten text message and send it as a GIF.
All this sounds exciting and everything, but the question on everyone’s mind is whether the phone is safe or not. And according to Samsung, it is.
“We have been closely working with Samsung to make meaningful advancements in the science of smartphone quality and safety evaluation,” said Sajeev Jesudas, President, UL International – an independent safety-testing firm
“As a result, the Galaxy Note8 has successfully completed a rigorous series of device and battery safety compatibility test protocols. We look forward to maintaining our strategic relationship with Samsung to help ensure device safety for all consumers,” he added.
That includes Samsung’s own 8-Point Battery Safety Check, although the best indicator of the company’s safety is the success of the Galaxy S8 series, which went without a hitch since its launch earlier this year.
But is the Note 8 worth getting though?
Yes, if you’re a “phablet” lover looking for a feature-rich gadget. If last year’s explosive debacle fazes you, then don’t bother. Although the Note 8 does indeed look promising, and it stands to become the biggest rival for the iPhone 8, which is slated to launch later this year.
Right now, pre-orders and registration of interest for the Note 8 will start tomorrow (August 25) from 12pm onwards. You can register with telco operators Singtel, M1, and Starhub, and online via Samsung’s website or retail outlets like Courts, Best Denki, and Harvey Norman.
The Note 8 will arrive in three colours: Midnight Black, Maple Gold, and Orchid Gray.
For more information, visit www.samsung.com/sg.
All images taken from Samsung.
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