Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Reviews: 'Beautiful' Display and Solid Dual Rear Cameras at Premium Price

[Technarchy]

$930 Samsung? Nobody bats an eye. $999 iPhone? EVERYBODY PANIC

You're also getting an absolutely enormous 6.3" display without a cancer bezel bulge ruining things, an incredibly feature rich stylus interface, 6gb of RAM, expandable storage, probably the best cameras in the phone game, and a real headphone Jack, plus USB-C adaptors in the box to make your life easier.

The reason people question the price of the iPhone is they know somewhere they are unquestionably getting less for their time and money.

 

[symphara]

You're also getting an absolutely enormous 6.3" display without a cancer bezel bulge ruining things, an incredibly feature rich stylus interface, 6gb of RAM, expandable storage, probably the best cameras in the phone game, and a real headphone Jack, plus USB-C adaptors in the box to make your life easier.

The reason people question the price of the iPhone is they know somewhere they are unquestionably getting less for their time and money.

Plus, it will probably be sold for less, and the price will steadily go down. Android phones get discounted over time - there’s a lot of competition - so if it’s not a good deal now, it might be by Christmas. For the iPhone at least here in Switzerland the price seems fixed for the whole year.

 

[RodoBobJon]

That's understandable coming from the Apple apologist/fan. But the point is not as valid as it seems. People use different levels of security when it comes to phones. Some need strict security others are fine without any. Let's remember that Note 8 (and S8) still provides finger print scanner (i.e. same security level as iPhone). The facial recognition is an additional option which some might find useful. I have not seen people reporting any issues (security wise) with iris scanners on S8. Now, iPhone might offer more secure facial recognition features. But... reportedly, it does not have finger print scanner so it better do the facial recognition right.

Apple set the bar with TouchID that a modern phone's biometric authentication must be both secure and extremely easy to use. Having one method that is convenient and a different method that is secure is no replacement for a single method that is both. Samsung provides a fingerprint scanner that is difficult to reach, an iris scanner that must be held right up to your face and is still finnicky, and a face scanner that won't even defend you from a low-tech mischievous friend with a photo of your face.

Samsung took a backwards step on the convenience and security of the biometrics in order to remove the bezels from the front of the device. That's a bad trade-off in my opinion, though obviously opinions differ. Some people have no problem with the finger scanner location.

 

[miknos]

And exactly how much does Apple spend on their marketing?...
That is an incredibly poor card to play if you're trying to make Apple out to be better.

I'm not defending Apple. Stop taking conclusions.
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So positive reviews for Samsung = them paying for it. Yet when those same sites praise Apple, it's genuine? Or is Apple also paying folks to praise their products? Hmm...

Apple ostracizes journalists that write bad reviews.

 

[farewelwilliams]

I personally use geofencing (available on Android). It keeps the phone unlocked when at a particular address (like home or work). You can also use Bluetooth devices (such as the car infotainment system, smartwatch or headphones) to keep it unlocked.

Not that I have your particular problem anyway. I never turn on the phone just to look at notifications since I have an Android Wear smartwatch, so when I turn on the phone I always do so to use it, and I never use it while it lays flat on the table. And for that, unlocking using the rear fingerprint sensor feels much more natural.

i dont think i'll ever use geo fence at work. that's a huge security risk. and i unlock my phone while on the table for more than just notifications. to each their own i guess

 

[9081094]

I think 2017 will be remembered as the year others make nicer phones at lower prices. The $ 1000 price tag for an iPhone 8 can't be justified. It's also funny to see that the new androidone phone from xiaomi is delivering better specs and less bezels with oled display and same cameras as iPhone 7 plus for around $ 400 dollar. It's coming with Oreo. From what I've seen from the iphone 8 it's looking so retro against the competition. I personally don't like the status bar... like the MacBook touchbar disaster... the way Apple is heading is getting out of touch with my personal taste. I'll wait till the iPhone 8 comes out but I think I'll try the other side this time.

 

[the-msa]

Let’s be realistic. The Samsung finger print sensor is not better than the iPhone Touch ID. Period.

My wife tried touch id on her iphone 7.

Rarely works maybe 50%. She turned it off after being annoyed for a week. On my Nexus 5x? Works approx. 98% of the time, only time it doesn't is when the finger isnt on the sensor completely.

YMMV

 

[9081094]

You're exaggerating with the software. It may not be comparable to iOS, but it's not "Bad". Android has come along way in terms Of fluidity and less lag. Being that I am in iOS user, I was an android user for years. And android is nowhere near what it used to be five years ago. It's much improved since then.

To be honest, the look of material design is much more modern then iOS.

 

[2268473]

I use both on a daily basis (work phone/private phone). Have also used Macs at work every single work day since 1998 while all the time having a PC for home use.

The claim that one or the other is somewhat superior really blows my mind. Those kind of statements says a lot about the users unwillingness to do any kind of effort to learn stuff. any PC/Mac/iPhone/Android phone does absolutely everything 99,9% of users need.

I really wonder how these entrenched people react when new routines or systems are introduced in the workplace. Can't imagine it being anything but a total nightmare for those responsible for implementing the new workflow.

How ridiculous you sound, rocking on your high horse. This has nothing to do with routine or systems at work - it is comparing one user experience to another.

Indeed my comments do not imply any unwillingness “to learn stuff”. I don’t need to “learn” a new operating system because I am not eighty nine years old. Your sweeping generalisation of “PC/Mac/iPhone/Android” doing “99.9% of users need [sic]” elicits such lack of basic understanding it is almost embarrassing.

I have space in my pocket for one mobile phone, I have sampled what is available and Android offers me a poorer experience than iOS. I will continue to spend my money on the better product — if you call that “entrenched”, then colour me shocked.

 

[Defthand]

Apple “adopted a platform” from WebOS? Do tell. Last I heard LG bought that. If your “adopted a platform” comment actually means “uses cards in multitasking” then it is the weakest of weak sauces.

I was trying to be diplomatic when I said adopted. I would have said copied the essence of WebOS, but the more zealous fanboys can’t imagine Apple being unoriginal

 

[symphara]

How ridiculous you sound, rocking on your high horse. This has nothing to do with routine or systems at work - it is comparing one user experience to another.

Indeed my comments do not imply any unwillingness “to learn stuff”. I don’t need to “learn” a new operating system because I am not eighty nine years old. Your sweeping generalisation of “PC/Mac/iPhone/Android” doing “99.9% of users need [sic]” elicits such lack of basic understanding it is almost embarrassing.

I have space in my pocket for one mobile phone, I have sampled what is available and Android offers me a poorer experience than iOS. I will continue to spend my money on the better product — if you call that “entrenched”, then colour me shocked.

You’re right. Android does 99.9%, iOS, not quite sure what the percentage is. Took me over one frustrating hour last night just to put a .cbz file on my iPad. The lack of direct file access is just debilitating, but hey, the “better product” has all sorts of design decisions to gate content so it makes Apple more money, damn user convenience.

 

[2268473]

You’re right. Android does 99.9%, iOS, not quite sure what the percentage is. Took me over one frustrating hour last night just to put a .cbz file on my iPad. The lack of direct file access is just debilitating, but hey, the “better product” has all sorts of design decisions to gate content so it makes Apple more money, damn user convenience.

It’s so simple. If you want a device that you can load a .cbz file on, then buy it. If you want a device with a DVD drive, buy it. Etcetera. This does not deviate from my original point that different users have different requirements and use cases. The market is saturated with a plethora of products offering an array of experiences.

 

[ke-iron]

My wife tried touch id on her iphone 7.

Rarely works maybe 50%. She turned it off after being annoyed for a week. On my Nexus 5x? Works approx. 98% of the time, only time it doesn't is when the finger isnt on the sensor completely.

YMMV

Maybe your phone is defective. Touch ID is the fastest, most accurate and most secure fingerprint sensor on any cell phone to date.

 

[Feenician]

You’re right. Android does 99.9%, iOS, not quite sure what the percentage is. Took me over one frustrating hour last night just to put a .cbz file on my iPad. The lack of direct file access is just debilitating, but hey, the “better product” has all sorts of design decisions to gate content so it makes Apple more money, damn user convenience.

Strange that you would say that iOS users are unwilling to learn stuff but somehow take an hour to figure out how to either email, upload a file to iCloud/Google Drive/Dropbox/Onedrive or just use one of the many, many apps that implement Webdav over wifi.

 

[ke-iron]

I'm sorry that's what you got from my post. I was doing no such thing - I was merely pointing out that Apple's track record at OS updates is very poor in terms of keeping the performance up. In fact, they accomplish the very opposite, one wonders if by design. I have three iPads and two Macbooks, and this is an extremely consistent pattern. If on Android I welcome an OS update (there's been no new version slower than the old one for me, ever), on an Apple device I dread it. Every new version makes the devices worse until they're borderline unusable. And this is done by pure OS updates, not new software or anything like that. My Macbook Air has the same stuff on it as from the very beginning. With Maverick it ran beautifully. Now it crawls worse than my worst experience with Windows Vista.

Then what you're writing simply doesn't apply to the current Samsung flagship range. The S7 isn't the current flagship. The opinion written on xda about the S7 isn't generally shared either - I've seen reviewers I respect who are both happy with the initial performance and long-term performance. Not that I personally like the S7 - I do not.

You're also wrong about the software. They had pretty much the same thing (TouchWiz) for a long time, tweaked here and there. The new launcher has a completely different UI.

I'm not trying to make you buy anything, in fact, I couldn't care less what you're buying. I'm just trying to bring some perspective to your post.
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But the Huawei ones are. Much, much better.

In fact, I think the sensors used by Apple are pretty bad. I have one on my Macbook Pro and one on my iPad Pro. Neither work when my finger is wet, unlike Huawei's.

This year I renovated my holiday home and there was a lot of dust while they were working there, the kind of very fine dust that really gets into the skin and makes it very dry. After staying there for a few hours both Apple sensors had 100% failure rates, while the Huawei had about a 10% failure rate.

So while I don't know about Samsung's, I doubt it's worse than Apple's.

Like I said in another reply. Maybe your phone is defective. Touch ID is the fastest, most accurate and most secure finger print sensor in any cellphone. When you think about security and why it will not unlock if you have wet or dirty hands it should be self explanatory. It’s either it gets the entire match with 100% certainty or it doesn’t.

 

[symphara]

It’s so simple. If you want a device that you can load a .cbz file on, then buy it. If you want a device with a DVD drive, buy it. Etcetera. This does not deviate from my original point that different users have different requirements and use cases. The market is saturated with a plethora of products offering an array of experiences.

Honestly, I want a device where I can put any file I want on it. Freedom works best.

Like I said in another reply. Maybe your phone is defective. Touch ID is the fastest, most accurate and most secure finger print sensor in any cellphone. When you think about security and why it will not unlock if you have wet or dirty hands it should be self explanatory. It’s either it gets the entire match with 100% certainty or it doesn’t.

Nonsense. It is just that the sensors used by Apple are not that accurate. As for most secure, that's just a hot air assertion. Failure to read moist or dry (I didn't say dirty) fingerprints is a failure of the sensor, not a security feature.

My phone is far more accurate at reading fingerprints, and in fact, Apple does poorly in most fingerprint reader tests out there.

To summarize, I'd say that TouchID is one of those features like Siri. Apple did it first and did it poorly, now everybody else has a better implementation.

Strange that you would say that iOS users are unwilling to learn stuff but somehow take an hour to figure out how to either email, upload a file to iCloud/Google Drive/Dropbox/Onedrive or just use one of the many, many apps that implement Webdav over wifi.

Email was out of the question, it was hundreds of megabytes. To unnecessarily use third-party cloud storage that I'm not subscribed to just to copy one file from my Apple computer to my Apple tablet (which was physically plugged in) is a travesty of usability.

On Android you can simply copy the file. You don't need to worry about the app - just later install and use any app you like. It bears no comparison: one system works, the other sucks. And when I think about the steaming pile called iTunes, I'd say it sucks hard.

 

[Feenician]

Email was out of the question, it was hundreds of megabytes. To unnecessarily use third-party cloud storage that I'm not subscribed to just to copy one file from my Apple computer to my Apple tablet (which was physically plugged in) is a travesty of usability.

If you have an iPad, you have iCloud. Period.

And when I think about the steaming pile called iTunes, I'd say it sucks hard.

Ah ha ha! You were plugged in and you still couldn't manage it?

Do tell, "after an hour" what solution did you arrive at to transfer your file that grandma would have done in 5 minutes?

 

[Analog Kid]

Samsung reviews: "premium price"

Apple reviews: "overpriced"

Which of these two companies has more than quadrupled top-line ASP in the last decade...? Exactly. Samsung.

I agree with the sentiment about the spin, but ASP is kind of a meaningless stat in this context. This doesn't mean their prices have gone up, it means their product mix has changed.

 

[JayIsAwesome]

Literally last year: https://www.xda-developers.com/with...delivers-embarrassing-real-world-performance/
Two months ago: https://www.sammobile.com/2017/06/27/samsung-ui-fluidity-problem-needs-fixing

Samsung has tainted their own reputation. it's not my fault. The fact that people like you can't even recognize the significance or recency in their mistakes probably means your opinion of the matter is about as good as any other Samsung fannie with their head in the dirt.

Year and year again they release phones that are not worth the money they are asking, and every year mainstream reviewers gloss over the significant issues that lead to crap performance and an unenjoyable experience. Then there's updates: "Oh it feels better" the fannie coo. And then another update addressing the same thing: But I thought it was fixed? The following year the issue is "fixed" by releasing a new phone that's just not-as-bad, when in comparison, other manufacturers do wonders with less. And that's just performance: don't get me started on the features they offer that more often than not turn into entertaining gimmicks.

Absolutely no way I'm playing that game. Not for a device I plan to use everyday, maybe even collective hours, and spend close to a grand on. They've burned that bridge for me, I didn't have to do anything.

So my opinion doesn't count even tho I actually own the damn phone and am using it right now? And I love how in one of your cherry picked articles it basically says that it may not reflect the usage and experience of everybody and then in the other article there are folks in the comments section saying their phone also run smooth. But I guess they're all lying and are being paid by Samsung too. Damn illuminati lol. Hell I could just as easy post links that I found on Google about the iPhone glitching and randomly spazzing out. Guess that means the iPhone sucks too.

And useless gimmicks like the bigger screen that "nobody needed" ? Wait Apple is doing that. The water resistance? Apple is going that. The 4k recording? Oh Apple is doing that. Ah, the stylus? Who needs a stylus? Apple is also doing that too. Wireless charging? Yep, another gimmick apple stole. Iris scanner? Check. The bezel-less display? Yep. And let's not even bring up all the stock android features that Apple has ripped off for iOS over the years. But whatev dude lol, keep doing the Samsung hate thing. I'll keep enjoying my S8 and I also look forward to the iPhone dropping next week

 

[CaptRB]

Maybe your phone is defective. Touch ID is the fastest, most accurate and most secure fingerprint sensor on any cell phone to date.

I have both. Works fine on both. Fails so rarely that I could not tell you which is better. I prefer the position on the Samsung with the way I use my phone.

I prefer sound quality and the Android OS, but I can use either.

The Samsung S8+ is the nicest phone I've used to date. The new Note looks to be even nicer. Apple has a LOT of work to do because I don't think the 8 will do it.


R

 

[ke-iron]

Honestly, I want a device where I can put any file I want on it. Freedom works best.


Nonsense. It is just that the sensors used by Apple are not that accurate. As for most secure, that's just a hot air assertion. Failure to read moist or dry (I didn't say dirty) fingerprints is a failure of the sensor, not a security feature.

My phone is far more accurate at reading fingerprints, and in fact, Apple does poorly in most fingerprint reader tests out there.

To summarize, I'd say that TouchID is one of those features like Siri. Apple did it first and did it poorly, now everybody else has a better implementation.


Email was out of the question, it was hundreds of megabytes. To unnecessarily use third-party cloud storage that I'm not subscribed to just to copy one file from my Apple computer to my Apple tablet (which was physically plugged in) is a travesty of usability.

On Android you can simply copy the file. You don't need to worry about the app - just later install and use any app you like. It bears no comparison: one system works, the other sucks. And when I think about the steaming pile called iTunes, I'd say it sucks hard.

Apple definitely did not implement those features first but it is well done and implemented. I'm not going to argue with you either because you're entitled to your own opinion.

 

[Abazigal]

That's understandable coming from the Apple apologist/fan. But the point is not as valid as it seems. People use different levels of security when it comes to phones. Some need strict security others are fine without any. Let's remember that Note 8 (and S8) still provides finger print scanner (i.e. same security level as iPhone). The facial recognition is an additional option which some might find useful. I have not seen people reporting any issues (security wise) with iris scanners on S8. Now, iPhone might offer more secure facial recognition features. But... reportedly, it does not have finger print scanner so it better do the facial recognition right.

Which brings me back to John Gruber's argument. Apple is willing to go the distance and sweat the details over this sort of stuff, regardless of whether the end user will appreciate it or not.

Samsung just stuffs in new features they think will make for good marketing points, even if they are half-baked and don't work right.

Maybe some users are indifferent to this. I am not one of them. And that is why I see myself remaining an iPhone user for a good many years to come.

 

[Rob_2811]

Which brings me back to John Gruber's argument. Apple is willing to go the distance and sweat the details over this sort of stuff, regardless of whether the end user will appreciate it or not.

Samsung just stuffs in new features they think will make for good marketing points, even if they are half-baked and don't work right.

Maybe some users are indifferent to this. I am not one of them. And that is why I see myself remaining an iPhone user for a good many years to come.

Like Apple did with the Watch and the Apple TV then. Completely half baked products that didn't work right when released. Not just features of the product the entire products were half baked, the Watch was a embarrassment until watchOS 3 shipped.

Obviously that will be conveniently ignored by Gruber. No surprises really you would get a more impartial opinion from Phil Schiller.

 

[CaptRB]

Which brings me back to John Gruber's argument. Apple is willing to go the distance and sweat the details over this sort of stuff, regardless of whether the end user will appreciate it or not.

Samsung just stuffs in new features they think will make for good marketing points, even if they are half-baked and don't work right.

Maybe some users are indifferent to this. I am not one of them. And that is why I see myself remaining an iPhone user for a good many years to come.

Funny stuff. I have iPhone and S8+. I use these phones a lot. While I prefer the S8+, neither phone has features "stuffed in" that don't work. BOTH phones have weaknesses. The iPhone is too fragile compared to the Samsung. Android is needlessly complex at times.
But both are great phones for ANYONE who takes the time to learn their nuances.

If you need to feel good about a phone choice by making up vague stories, you'll get called out on it.

And you just did.



R.

 

[Abazigal]

Funny stuff. I have iPhone and S8+. I use these phones a lot. While I prefer the S8+, neither phone has features "stuffed in" that don't work. BOTH phones have weaknesses. The iPhone is too fragile compared to the Samsung. Android is needlessly complex at times.
But both are great phones for ANYONE who takes the time to learn their nuances.

If you need to feel good about a phone choice by making up vague stories, you'll get called out on it.

And you just did.

R.

Tech media narrative: Samsung bests Apple in design

Reality:

Fall 2016: Samsung releases a phone that literally explodes

Spring 2017: Samsung dedicates a button to its flagship phone for a voice assistant you can’t speak to. Samsung last-minute slaps the fingerprint scanner next to the camera lens because it isn’t able to come up with a better idea on time. Samsung releases a phone with a facial-recognition system that provides zero security.

These stories are practically writing themselves. I don't have to make anything up.