Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launches in the UK – and it’s bigger and better than before
SAMSUNG is bringing out a massive smartphone it hopes will rival the iPhone 8.
And if today's launch is anything to go by, the Korean manufacturer certainly isn't pulling any punches.
The successor to the disastrous Note 7 - which had to be recalled after it kept exploding - was unveiled at special "unboxing" press conference in New York on Wednesday.
The Galaxy Note 8 is a larger version of the Samsung S8 that can be controlled using a special stylus.
It's got a massive 6.3" infinity screen and a snazzy rear dual camera, which will add depth to your photos and stabilise camera shake.
Costing £869, it comes in four different colours: Midnight Black, Deepsea blue, Orchid Grey and Maple Gold.
Those who snap up the new smartphone on September 15 will be able to use Samsung’s Siri rival Bixby, now that it's finally launched in the UK.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 tech specs and features
- Massive 6.3" display
- Four colours: midnight black, deepsea blue, orchid gray or maple gold
- Updated S pen stylus
- 12MP rear dual camera that takes stable pictures with 2X optical zoom
- 8MP selfie camera
- Water and dust resistant
- Wireless charging
- Fingerprint and iris scanning security
- 6GB ram for powerful performance and expandable (with memory card) of 256GB
Samsung was forced to scrap its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in 2016 after several of them burst into flames.
The model was banned from flights and millions of the devices were recalled after battery problems caused handsets to burst into flames – sometimes while in customers’ hands.
OUT OF THIS WORLD? Samsung Galaxy Note 8 out NOW! UK release time, price, camera, spec and phone features
Dj Koh, Samsung's president of mobile communications, appeared emotional as he referred to the debacle during Wednesday's bash in the US.
He said: "Of course none of us will ever forget what happened last year, but I will also never forget how many note fans stayed with us."
Samsung recalled three million handsets after the dangerous defect appeared within weeks of its grand launch in August.
The manufacturer launched a vast inquiry to discover what was behind the problem, which is expected to have cost the company an estimated £4.3 billion ($5.3 billion).
It later claimed wonky batteries in the Galaxy Note 7 was to blame.
What's new for the S pen?
Since its introduction, the S Pen has been one of the Note’s defining features.
Samsung has refined it for its return, with new ways to write draw and interact.
It has a finer tip and increased sensitivity so you don't have to keep writing the same thing over and over again.
Even when it's locked, the Screen Off Memo allows you to take up to one-hundred pages of notes as soon as you remove the S Pen, pin notes to the Always On Display and make edits directly from the Always On Display.
It can help your while you're abroad, too.
An improved S Pen Translate feature lets you hover over text to quickly translate not only individual words, but entire sentences in up to 71 languages, and instantly convert units and foreign currencies.
What's so great about the camera?
The Galaxy Note 8 is the first smartphone with two 12MP rear cameras with Optical Image Stabilisation on both the wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
In Dual Capture mode, both rear cameras take two pictures simultaneously and allow you to save both images; one close-up shot from the telephoto lens and one wide-angle shot that shows the entire background.
The wide-angle lens has a Dual Pixel sensor with rapid Auto Focus, so you can capture sharper, clearer shots even in low-light environments. The Galaxy Note8 is also equipped with an industry-leading 8MP Smart Auto Focus front-facing camera for sharp selfies and video chats.
When and where can I get it?
Pre-orders from Samsung.co.uk, select operators and retailers up until September 14.
You'll be able to buy the Midnight Black or Maple Gold versions, but Orchid Grey and Deepsea Blue "will be announced in due course".
Shops will stock in from September 15.
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