It was ...wow, like over 5 years ago that I remember the first Galaxy Note came out. I remember bringing my demo unit to some meetings and showing off to people and who were just amazed.
Fast forward and we're now at the point where we have a Galaxy Note 8. Let's not discuss the 7 at all.
There's some out there that say that there's a blurred line between the Note 8 and the S8 (thank God they finally synced up the numbering), so how do you decide which is for you.
The Note is, and always will have the S-Pen as their main differentiator. Which is funny, because the number of folks I see who have the Note, but never use the pen at all. But they wanted it.
With the ~$300 difference between the S8/S8+ to this, you have to really weigh out what you want to pay for that pen. I loved it, even though I didn't use it as much as I would have liked. I would still want it.
Okay, so for the whopping $1350 price tag that the Note 8 is, what do you get (note that if you order early at Bell you'll get a free 128GB SD card and their charging stand).
Remember, you can compare how the stats compare at our database page
- 6.3" 2960x1440 (Infinity display)
- 3D touch on home button
- Snapdragon 835 2.35GHz x4 + 1.9GHz x4
- 6GB RAM
- 64GB storage + microSD
- 12MP (f/ 1.7, 1.4um, 1/2.55") + 12MP (f/2.4, 1.0um, 1/3.6, 2x zoom)
- 8MP (f/1.7, 1.22um, 1/3.6")
- 3300mAh
- S-Pen
- Android 7.1.1
Check out the full press release below:
Do Bigger Things with Samsung Galaxy Note8, the Next Level Note
Designed to help you achieve more in work and life with an Infinity Display, intelligent S Pen and Dual Camera with Optical Image Stabilization; Canadian pre-orders begin August 23, 2017
MISSISSAUGA, ON – Aug. 23, 2017 – Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. introduces the Galaxy Note8, the next level Note for people who want to do bigger things. With the Galaxy Note8, consumers get a big Infinity Display1 that fits comfortably in one hand, the S Pen to allow them to communicate in more personal ways, and Samsung’s best-yet smartphone camera to capture stunning photos. The Galaxy Note8 is designed for the way consumers lead their lives and use technology today.
“We appreciate the relentless passion of the Note community. They’ve been a constant inspiration to
us, and we designed the new Note for them,” said DJ Koh, president of Mobile Communications
Business, Samsung Electronics. “From the Infinity Display to the smarter S-Pen to the powerful dual
camera, the Galaxy Note8 lets people do things they never thought were possible.”
Samsung first introduced the Note series in 2011. Since then, a community of enthusiasts emerged,
joined together by their affinity for Note’s signature expansive screen and S Pen. According to Samsung market research, 85 percent of Note users say they’re proud to show off their Note and recommend it to friends, and 75 percent say it’s the best phone they’ve ever had2.
Enjoy and Do More on the Infinity Display
The Galaxy Note8 has the biggest screen yet on a Note device, yet its narrow body makes it comfortable to hold in one hand. The 6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display lets you see more and scroll less. The Galaxy Note8 gives you more room to watch, read, and draw—making it our best multitasking smartphone.
Note users have long been able to work smart with Multi Window. With the Galaxy Note8, the new App Pair feature lets you create a custom button on the Edge panel that will simultaneously launch two apps in multi window mode. Watch a video while messaging your friends, or dial into a conference call with the number and agenda right in front of you.
A New Way to Communicate with the Intelligent S Pen
Since its introduction, the S Pen has been one of the Note’s defining features. With the Galaxy Note8,
the enhanced S Pen unlocks entirely new ways to write, draw, and interact with the phone and
communicate with friends. It has a finer tip, improved pressure sensitivity3, and new features that let users express themselves in new and innovative ways.
When communicating in text just isn’t enough, Live Message allows you to reflect your unique
personality and creativity. With the Galaxy Note8, you can now you can now share animated texts or
drawings across platforms that support animated GIFs. It’s a whole new way to communicate with the S Pen—adding lively and emotional connections that bring your messages to life.
The Always-On-Display allows Galaxy users to monitor notifications without having to unlock their
phone. With the Galaxy Note8 Screen-Off Memo you can pin notes to the Always-on Display, edit them and write up to 100 pages.
For occasions when you travel abroad or come across a website in a foreign language, the improved
Translate feature now lets you hover over text to quickly translate not only individual words, but entire sentences. The Galaxy Note8 translates more than 30 languages and instantly convert measurement units for user’s convenience.
Take Better Pictures with the Galaxy Note8
For most smartphone consumers, the easy to use camera is an important consideration in their
purchasing decision. The Galaxy Note8 set a new standard for smartphone cameras with our most
powerful camera yet.
The Galaxy Note8 is the world’s first smartphone with two 12MP rear cameras with Optical Image
Stabilization (OIS) on both—one wide-angle lens, one telephoto lens. Whether you’re exploring a new city or running around your backyard, OIS lets you capture sharp and clear images.
In Dual Capture mode, both rear cameras work together to take two shots—and save both images: one close-up shot from the telephoto lens and one wide-angle shot that shows the entire background.
For more advanced photo taking, the Galaxy Note8’s Live Focus feature lets you control the depth of
field by allowing you to adjust the bokeh effect in preview mode and even after you take the photo.
The wide-angle lens has a Dual Pixel sensor with rapid auto-focus so you can capture sharp, clear shots, even in low-light environments. The Galaxy Note8 is also equipped with an 8MP Smart AutoFocus front- facing camera for the sharpest selfies and video chats.
A Full Galaxy of Features and Services
The Galaxy Note8 is built on the Galaxy legacy—a collection of unique features and capabilities that,
when used together, have redefined the mobile experience:
• IP68 Water and Dust Resistance: Four years ago, Samsung introduced the first Galaxy device
with water resistance. Today, you can take your Note almost anywhere you want with water
and dust resistance (IP684) the device and the S Pen. You can write even when the display is wet.
• Fast Wireless Charging: Two years ago, we introduced the first Galaxy device with wireless
charging. The Galaxy Note8 supports our most advanced wireless charge capabilities yet so you
can get a quick, convenient charge without having to mess around with ports or wires.
• Security: The Galaxy Note8 offers the choice of biometric authentication options—including iris
and fingerprint scanning. Samsung Knox6 offers defense-grade security at the hardware and
software layers, with a secure folder to help safeguard your data.
• Powerful Performance: With 6GB RAM, a 10nm processor, and expandable memory (up to
256GB), you have the power you need to browse, stream, play games, and multi-task.
• Innovative Mobile Experiences: Samsung DeX enables a desktop-like experience, powered by
your phone. You can keep your files on your phone, do your work on the go, and use Samsung
DeX when you need a bigger screen. The Galaxy Note8 includes Bixby7, a smarter way to use your phone; it learns from you, improves over time, and helps you get more done. Bixby Voice is
now available in Canada in English as of August 22, 2017. Bixby Voice learns from your
commands and improves over time. It’s a smarter way to use your phone, allowing you to use
your voice to do more.
Mobile Performance, Productivity and Security for Business
The Galaxy Note8 takes business innovation to the next level with advanced features that improve
performance, productivity and security for a wide range of industries, simplifying how work gets done:
• Enhanced S-Pen: The S Pen lets professionals do what they need to like taking notes in Screen-
Off Memo or quickly annotate documents and photos.
• Non-Contact Authentication: The Galaxy Note8 offers iris scanning for professionals—for
example, in health care, construction, or public safety—who need to unlock their phones
without having to swipe or scan a fingerprint.
• Enhanced DeX Capabilities: The Galaxy Note8 powers Samsung DeX for those who need to
switch between a simple mobile experience and a desktop experience—whether they go
between field work and office work, or travel between offices.
Our Continued Commitment to Safety
Samsung continues to uphold its commitment to lead the industry in battery safety. The Galaxy Note8’s battery has undergone our Samsung 8-point battery check:
"We have been closely working with Samsung to make meaningful advancements in the science of
smartphone quality and safety evaluation. 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,” said Sajed Jesudas, SVP and President, UL International.
Canadian Pre-Order and Availability
In Canada, the Galaxy Note8 will be offered in Midnight Black and Deepsea Blue through Samsung
Experience Stores, online on Samsung.ca and through the following carriers: Bell, Eastlink, Freedom,
MTS, Rogers, Sasktel, Telus, Videotron. They will all carry the Galaxy Note8 in stores or available online beginning September 15, 2017, with pre-orders starting August 23, 2017.
Canadian consumers who pre-order a Samsung Galaxy Note8 between August 23, 2017 and September 14, 2017 will get a bonus Samsung Wireless Charger Convertible plus Samsung 128GB MicroSD Card following purchase9.
The Galaxy Note8 will also be compatible with the new Gear VR with Controller. The new Gear VR with Controller will be available starting on September 15 for $199.99 at Bell, Best Buy, London Drugs, Rogers, The Source, Tbooth, Telus, Videotron, Visions, Wirelesswave, Samsung Experience Stores and Samsung.com.
For more information about the Galaxy Note8 visit http://www.samsung.com/ca/smartphones/galaxy-
note8/.
1 Compared to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+
2 Based on an online survey of smartphone owners, which was conducted by Edelman Intelligence July 21 – August 2, 2017 and included 3,949
interviews with smartphone owners ages 18 or older in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, South Korea and China.
3 Compared to the Galaxy Note5
4 Water resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes; rinse residue/dry after wet.
5 Fast charging requires Adaptive Fast Charging (AFC) or Quick Charge 2.0-compatible charger to work. Testing under laboratory conditions.
Results may vary. Battery power consumption depends on factors such as network configuration, signal strength, operating temperature,
features selected, vibrate mode, backlight settings, browser use, frequency of calls and voice, data and other applications usage patterns.
6 A list of Samsung Knox certifications is available at https://www.samsungknox.com/en/knox-technology/security-certifications.
7 Bixby service ability may vary by country. Voice command recognizes English (U.S.) and Korean. Not all accents, dialects and expressions
recognized. Service ability may vary by country or carrier. Voice command works with a select, growing list of Samsung and third-party apps; see
“Apps with Voice” in Bixby for list of compatible apps
8 Color availability varies by region.
9 Some conditions apply. Pre-Order and then purchase a Samsung Galaxy Note8 (SM-N950WZKAXAC, SM-N950WZBAXAC), from August 23rd –
September 14th, 2017and receive a bonus consisting of Samsung Wireless Charger Convertible (Black - Model No. EP-PG950TBEGCA, MSRP CDN
$129) and Samsung 128GB MicroSD card (Model No. MB-MC128GA/AM, MSRP CDN$129). While quantities last. No rain checks. Limit of one
bonus with purchase per device. Open to Canadian Residents only. Participating authorized Canadian retailers and carriers may vary. Purchases
made at Samsung Experience Stores and samsung.com/ca are also eligible for this promotion. Samsung reserves the right to change or cancel
the promotion without notice. Shipment of the Samsung Galaxy Note8 bonus is expected to take 6 to 8 weeks, subject to completion of
requirements set out above. Visit www.samsung.com/promotion for further details and steps required to redeem your bonus.
*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits,
design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.