After the explosive Galaxy Note 7 recall last year, many expected Samsung to terminate the Note series. That speculation can be put to rest with the recently-announced Galaxy Note 8.
The Note 8 goes up against some serious competition. Setting aside the other top-tier Android phones currently available, there’s also the
Specs
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 | iPhone 7 Plus | |
Size | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6 mm (6.40 x 2.95 x 0.34 inches) | 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 inches) |
Weight | 6.88 ounces (195 grams) | 6.63 ounces (188 grams) |
Screen | 6.3-inch Super AMOLED | 5.5-inch LCD |
Resolution | 2,960 x 1,440 (522 ppi) | 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (401 ppi) |
OS | iOS 10 | |
Storage | 64GB (U.S.) 128, 256GB (International) | 32, 128, 256GB |
MicroSD card slot | Yes | No |
NFC support | Yes | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, Samsung Exynos 8895 (international) | A10 Fusion with 64-bit architecture, M10 motion coprocessor |
RAM | 6GB | 3GB |
Connectivity | GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE | 4G LTE, GSM, CDMA, HSPA+, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi |
Camera | Dual 12 MP rear both with OIS, 8MP front | Dual 12MP rear one with OIS, 7MP front |
Video | ||
Bluetooth | Yes, version 5.0 | Yes, version 4.2 |
Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Touch ID |
Other sensors | Accelerometer, barometer, gyro, geomagnetic, heart rate, proximity, iris, pressure | Barometer, 3-axis gyro, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor |
Water resistant | Yes, IP68 rated | Yes, IP67 rated |
Battery | 3,300mAh | 2,900mAh |
Charging port | USB-C | Lightning |
Marketplace | Google Play Store | Apple App Store |
Colors | Midnight Black, Orchid Gray | Gold, rose gold, silver, black, jet black |
Availability | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Unlocked | AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Unlocked |
Price | $930 | $729 |
DT review | Hands-on | 4 out of 5 stars |
You might think the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 mops the floor with the
Of course, benchmarks are only one indicator of performance — what’s really important is real-world use. Thankfully, both phones will prove to be nice and smooth in almost all use-cases, and will continue to do so for at least the next few years.
When it comes to storage, in the U.S. the iPhone offers more options. The Galaxy Note 8 comes with 64GB of internal storage, but there’s a MicroSD card slot so you can upgrade your space if needed. The international model comes with 128GB and 256GB options. While the base storage option on the
Still, it’s hard to look past the raw performance on the iPhone — that makes it the winner here.
Winner:
Design, display, and durability
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 features a similar design as the
When it comes to the display, the
The Galaxy Note 8 is also arguably more durable. While the
Because the Galaxy Note 8 has better waterproofing, a better display, and a more unique design, we’re giving this one to Samsung.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Battery life and charging
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has a larger battery than the
The Galaxy Note 8 also offers better charging capabilities. While the iPhone 7 Plus doesn’t really offer anything in the way of quick charging, the Galaxy Note 8 offers Adaptive Fast Charging, which lets you charge the device 50 percent in 30 minutes. That’s pretty huge — so even if the battery life on the device does end up being a little shorter, you’ll be able to charge it significantly quicker. Not only that, but the Galaxy Note 8 also has wireless charging, something that Apple has traditionally shunned — although that may change with the release of the iPhone 8.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Camera
The iPhone has traditionally been a leader in the camera department, but lately other manufacturers have been putting a lot more focus on their cameras. The result is excellent cameras on most flagship smartphones. Both the Note 8 and the
Samsung has a Live Focus feature on the Note 8, which is similar to the
The iPhone’s camera was also pretty well-received, offering optical image stabilization on one lens. The Note 8’s features seem to take things a step further, but we’ll have to test it out to see how it fares. For now, it’s a close tie.
Winner: Tie
Software
Spoiler alert: We’re not going to award a winner here. But we will note a few key differences between the software on these two phones. The iPhone, which runs Apple’s iOS, has long been known to offer an extremely simple and easy user experience, and for good reason. The operating system is built for simplicity, so if you’re looking for an operating system that “just works,” then look no further.
Keep in mind the Note 8 comes with the S Pen, a stylus with special nifty features like instant translation, writing notes on the always-on display, and more. If stylus features like these are important to you, go for the Note 8.
Winner: Tie
Price and availability
The
What is somewhat insane is the price of the Galaxy Note 8, which costs anywhere from $930 and $960, depending on who you get it from. That’s a lot of cash. The Galaxy Note 8 is available for pre-order as of August 24, and for purchase outright starting September 15. It’ll be available from Samsung, Best Buy, Amazon, and all major carriers.
Considering how much cheaper the
Winner:
Overall winner: Tie
So, which device should you buy? This may end up being a classic case of iOS vs.
If you want the cutting edge and don’t mind paying for it, the Galaxy Note 8 is the phone to get. If, however, you just want a reliable and easy-to-use device and wouldn’t mind saving some money, then the iPhone might be a better option.
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