Samsung Reveals Galaxy Note 8 With Dual Rear Cameras and 6.3-Inch AMOLED 'Infinity Display'

[melendezest]

I don't doubt that Samsung makes a good product and, by providing viable competition to Apple, forces Apple to do the same. However, the difference would have to be substantial for me to walk away from my iMacs, MBP, AppleTVs, Apple Watches, iPad Pro, nearly 400 iTunes movies, thousands of iTunes songs, etc. as that ecosystem works very well for me.

I understand.

I thought the same thing too, that it would be difficult for me. But it wasn't (although the Apple Watch would be an issue if I had one).

The deal is that my phone is not the center of my Apple universe, like the iPhone is meant to be now. Once I switched, I found my phone to be the equivalent of a mini computer that I could treat as a "second PC." I simply couldn't do this with an iOS device, especially the iPhone.

All my Apple-related music is there (aside from the stuff that is on Apple-lockdown), and syncing just means using services other than Apple's, which is good for me when I'm away from my all-Mac universe.

So I gave up the "easy" integration for the ability to not have to bring a laptop with me in many situations, just the phone. Power over convenience, I guess.

 

[jkichline]

Riiiiiiiight. That's total BS. My 6+ (with 1GB) can't even cache a single web page. Has to hit the network EVERYTIME I leave the page and go back.

I guess you missed the head to head test of the iPhone 7 vs the Galaxy 8 then? Basically the iPhone 7 beat the pants off the Galaxy in app load times and web page loading. All that with half the ram. I suspect there are other reasons to reload the webpage like... refreshing the content to see if anything had changed maybe?
[doublepost=1503521019][/doublepost]

Samsung has Bluetooth 5.0 on board.
They give you options, because they seem to care about the customer.

The Apple way is:
Put Earpods with Lightning connector to the box, which nobody uses (it's not even an "Apple audio jack", since you cant plug it into a Macbook)
Then they also throw in an adapter which you have to carry around.
And when you do use it, like my friends do in their cars, you get noise because the adapter is made poorly.

Nonsense. The adapter works great. We run music through iPhone 7 into professional audio equipment. There is no signal noise. I'd check elsewhere or get a new adapter.

 

[cgsnipinva]

Seriously nice phone which could well eat into iPhone 8 sales.

It will most likely eat into other Android phone sales first. Huwaei and SS are going to beat each other up.

 

[timborama]

I guess you missed the head to head test of the iPhone 7 vs the Galaxy 8 then? Basically the iPhone 7 beat the pants off the Galaxy in app load times and web page loading. All that with half the ram. I suspect there are other reasons to reload the webpage like... refreshing the content to see if anything had changed maybe?

LOL, I guess an Apple fanboy would spin it that way. But nope, content doesn't change. Just underpowered 1GB, Apple cutting corners. A 1GB 6+ should have never been put on the market.

 

[78Bandit]

I’m curious about your decision logic. After 8 years as an iPhone owner, have you embraced the Apple ecosystem?

If so, will you not miss iCloud, cross-device app and data integration, continuity and handoff, global clipboard, iCloud Keychain, wallet, and all of the little conveniences that accrue by virtue of being in the ecosystem, not to mention the peace of mind that comes with a platform that respects your privacy and is not built to exploit your personal information and undermine your digital sovereignty?

Just curious because android or any platform or phone can never be good enough to convince me trust the google ecosystem and trade my digital personhood for free services or conveniences.

Not directed at me, but I can provide my perspective. I've had an iPhone since the 3GS came out in 2009. While I'm not looking at switching to Android, if I did none of the things you listed would be an issue for me. I pretty much try to use platform agnostic services as much as possible. I don't use iCloud, everything is in OneDrive and Dropbox. Keychain and wallet aren't used as my passwords and financial data are stored using 1Password which is also cross-platform. I don't use Apple Music or purchase from iTunes, I buy my music from Amazon and sync using iTunes Match and use Spotify and Groove for streaming. Most of my work is done in Microsoft Office which has comparable apps on Android and Windows. I've never used Apple Pay, it isn't any less convenient to pull a card out of my wallet than it is to pull out my cellphone.

About the only Apple specific things I use are Find Friends and iMessage. There are also some apps I really like, such as those by Readdle, that aren't on Android. I'm sure there are equivalent apps in the Play store but I don't want to have to relearn how I do things if I don't have to.

I guess I've gone out of my way to ensure I'm not locked into any ecosystem. I like having the freedom to switch at will with minimum fuss even though I've used Apple products for eight years.

 

[zone23]

I guess you missed the head to head test of the iPhone 7 vs the Galaxy 8 then? Basically the iPhone 7 beat the pants off the Galaxy in app load times and web page loading. All that with half the ram. I suspect there are other reasons to reload the webpage like... refreshing the content to see if anything had changed maybe?
[doublepost=1503521019][/doublepost]

Nonsense. The adapter works great. We run music through iPhone 7 into professional audio equipment. There is no signal noise. I'd check elsewhere or get a new adapter.

Seriously? You run "professional audio equipment" off that super cheap looking 3" adapter Apple provided? That has got to look hilarious, Apples dongle plugged into a (probably) professional audio cable.. although I do question all of the professional if your using that cheap adapter apple provided, sorry I just don't see it.

 

[star-affinity]

Here are Note 8 Specs :-
View attachment 714161
View attachment 714162

Ooohh, Bluetooth 5.0. Wonder if we'll see that in Apple's upcoming phones…

 

[Zedcars]

It works for me and many others in ways you will never get. The envy.......

I think I would rather jam a spoon behind my own eye-balls, pop them out, and swallow them whole than use a Samsung phone. I despise that corrupt company, and their phones may seem impressive at first glance, are no more than lipstick on a pig.

Good luck in a year when you shiny new phone is slow as molasses, and is behind with crucial security updates.

 

[zone23]

Ooohh, Bluetooth 5.0. Wonder if we'll see that in Apple's upcoming phones…

I just hope apple steals the two bluetooth audio devices at the same time I like that feature. I can play the phone in the car and my portable bluetooth speaker at the same time. Its great when washing my truck.

 

[atlas_0]

ITT: Whining, stereotypical Apple fanboys repeating stereotypical criticisms on a device they'd be making a mess in their pants over if it had an apple logo on it.

The smart individuals get the best of both worlds by owning both brands, rather than capitulating to some "war" between platforms.

 

[dallas112678]

If I were to use an Android phone, the Google pixel would be my choice. I honestly think the Google Pixel 2 will be a huge competitor against the Galaxy series from Samsung. It's a really well-made phone and it has a promising future.

Unfortunately, Google hasn't shown the ability to manufacture enough of them, and I'm not sure that will change with the Pixel 2.

 

[iGeek2014]

I must admit I'm going to wait to see what Apple announce next month and go from there.

The Note 8 is a very nice looking device; the hardware specs are also impressive and the sample images on their website (even in low light conditions) do show Apple have work to do even with the improvements in the 7 Plus.

The only bug bear? Android. Until the carriers, manufacturers and Google sort out the fragmentation that's better than it was but is still there...

 

[Gilligan's last elephant]

I don't doubt that Samsung makes a good product and, by providing viable competition to Apple, forces Apple to do the same. However, the difference would have to be substantial for me to walk away from my iMacs, MBP, AppleTVs, Apple Watches, iPad Pro, nearly 400 iTunes movies, thousands of iTunes songs, etc. as that ecosystem works very well for me.

Why do you have to "walk away" from thousands of iTunes songs. Just Xfer them to your Android device.

 

[jst_testing]

Looks great - but it's the transfer from Apple to Android that will be difficult for people far into the Apple ecosystem. Apple Watch + iPhone combo; Apple TV + iOS devices for AirPlay, etc etc.

Unless you just want the Note to be an add-on...but $$....

 

[mudflap]

Seriously? You run "professional audio equipment" off that super cheap looking 3" adapter Apple provided? That has got to look hilarious, Apples dongle plugged into a (probably) professional audio cable.. although I do question all of the professional if your using that cheap adapter apple provided, sorry I just don't see it.

That super cheap Apple adapter? It actually has a DAC in it. So it's not cheap. However, as a former sound engineer back in the 90s, I would prefer using a lightning cable to transmit lossless digital audio to equipment with better converters. I would not use Apple's adapter to transmit digital-to-analog audio, except maybe for sampling.

 

[rtomyj]

You realize that there is absolutely NO downside to having a headphone jack right? I'm sure you will make a nice list.. also since your mister bluetooth you also realize that the Galaxy phones can still use bluetooth headphones even though they have a headphone jack. I have other stuff to say about your nonsense but don't feel like typing it out. I get it bluetooth is the future, blah, blah, blah..

Never did I say the jack had downsides. But hey, let's argue an argument I never layed out, right?

You were the one who also mentioned Bluetooth not me. What are you even on about, bud?

 

[DNichter]

Already $150 off at Best Buy on preorder. For all the Android folks.

 

[HiRez]

It's a nice and clean design (at least on the front). Honestly that's what I was hoping the iPhone 8 would look like (thin strips instead of the weird cutout). And it's time to admit Steve Jobs was wrong about the stylus: it can be useful and is a nice option, especially when you can hold it right inside the device.

Having said that, I'm way too invested in the Apple ecosystem to switch but on the hardware side Samsung is doing some pretty good designs these days. I think they still have a lot of work to do on the software side, most of the new features they tout end up being gimmicky or just plain not working well.

Will be interesting to see a simulated DOF (ie. "portrait mode") shootout between the Note 8 and the iPhone 8/Pro.

 

[deckard666]

I could never use iOS again. Thats such a restricted OS to remain in. You guys suffer but enjoy your limitations at the same time ironically. Its almost like you are brainwashed and will accept anything apple gives although they seem to remove more than what they give lately.

My mum loves the restriction of not having malware dumped on her when she is trying to find a new knitting app....I didn't notice apple sneaking stuff off me lately ? Pray tell...

 

[Rob_2811]

If I were to use an Android phone, the Google pixel would be my choice. I honestly think the Google Pixel 2 will be a huge competitor against the Galaxy series from Samsung. It's a really well-made phone and it has a promising future.

Agreed.

I got one for testing Android stuff although I use an iPhone day to day. Nice phone, like an Android version of the iPhone with all of Googles services tightly integrated.

 

[melendezest]

I must admit I'm going to wait to see what Apple announce next month and go from there.

The Note 8 is a very nice looking device; the hardware specs are also impressive and the sample images on their website (even in low light conditions) do show Apple have work to do even with the improvements in the 7 Plus.

The only bug bear? Android. Until the carriers, manufacturers and Google sort out the fragmentation that's better than it was but is still there...

I'm really curious, what impact does the fragmentation actually have on the personal user experience?

My Note5 is on Nougat, but I didn't need to take it past KitKat, let alone Marshmallow, really. (It got and still gets plenty of Security Updates, so let's not tread that tripe again)

The hardware and software features I (still) use were already there over 2 years ago.

And I could do with it then what I STILL can't do with iPhone now, and won't be able to even with the latest and "greatest" iOS 11 update.

To be honest, if my Note5 was water resistant and had the SD card expansion (and replaceable battery) it lost from the Note 4, I wouldn't want or need to upgrade at all.

Alas, the battery is shot and it's a work-issued device, so I might get the 8...

 

[IG88]

Oh really? Why did my 1 GB iPhone have to reload pages in Safari when switching back all the time and my S7 Edge with 4GB of RAM doesn't? Literally.

The number of Apple apologists that kept claiming it wasn't because of 1 GB RAM was astounding. Those people should have all been arrested by the 'stupid' police when Apple finally went to 2 GB and Safari stopped doing page reloads.

 

[melendezest]

Looks great - but it's the transfer from Apple to Android that will be difficult for people far into the Apple ecosystem. Apple Watch + iPhone combo; Apple TV + iOS devices for AirPlay, etc etc.

Unless you just want the Note to be an add-on...but $$....

Yep, the watch is the final ball-and-chain Apple released onto their customers to make sure they don't leave the iPhone.

Until that thing is standalone or integrates with Android I'll NEVER buy one.

A Note is the equivalent of a really portable PC.

The iPhone is the center of the Apple device universe, but it is not equivalent to the Mac yet. Even the Mac is being forced to serve the iPhone, not the other way around.

The 2 companies have way different approaches regarding their devices.

I prefer Samsung's, but that's just me.

 

[Sefstah]

I've always said that.. can we trade Foxconn for Samsung


I rarely used facetime but iMessage was a little rough until I figured out that since I have T-Mobile I can use Digits. Digits allows me to get text messages on all my other stuff including Macs, and Windows PCs (I think it works on the iPad too). I just install the Digits app and bingo.

Thank you for this. Im switching to T-Mobile at the end of the month and had no idea about this. I'll definitely look into the Digits app

 

[maxfm]

I don't understand all the comments about how "if this ran iOS, I'd get it," or "lol, it runs android, so forget it."

Have people actually used Android devices in the last couple years? Since Android 5.0 came out in 2014, iOS and Android have been pretty similar with each OS adding new features and then the other stealing them. Android was ahead of the curve on notifications and quick settings. iOS has been ahead of the curve on things like text selection (to copy/paste) and 3d touch.

But in the end, each OS has mostly matched the other's features within a year. THe only real difference is iOS's more controlled, curated experience vs. Android's more flexible experience.

Yes, there are differences in terms of how the two OSes solve certain problems, but a couple week's of use after a switch is enough for anyone who has some tech savviness to be 95% as efficient on the new OS.

Yes, if for some reason you enjoy iCloud, it won't work on Android.

Yes, many Android phones don't get OS updates, but there are plenty of options out there from manufacturers who do update the OS, and moreover, I would wager that most people who post on a forum like this do not keep their phones for more than 2 years, and most higher end Android phones receive updates for that long.