What to Look For in Samsung Galaxy 8 Big-Screen Smartphone

Apparently determined to show that it can restore buyer confidence in the once-popular Galaxy Note big-screen smartphone line, Samsung is reportedly working on a new model to be known as Galaxy Note 8. The new handset, sometimes referred to as a “phablet” because its big screen makes it look like a cross between a smartphone and a tablet, would come with a pressure-sensitive screen and a high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Word of the new model comes nearly six months after Samsung was forced to recall all of its preceding Galaxy Note 7 models because of overheating lithium-ion batteries that caught fire and exploded in a few cases. Samsung is reportedly taking great pains to ensure its battery technology will provide the long life and safe operation that the Note 7 could not.

Samsung isn’t planning to make many changes to the Galaxy Note 8, according to several reports. However, Samsung might remove the home button and move the fingerprint sensor to the back of the device.

The Galaxy Note 8 will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor, which was designed in partnership with Samsung. It will be used in both the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy Note 8, according to reports.

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 is the first smartphone to run the Bixby virtual personal assistant., activated by a button on the right side of the device. Reports are Samsung also will deliver Bixby in the Galaxy Note 8.

Samsung is reportedly planning a screen that curves on both sides of the Galaxy Note 8. The home button’s removal could expand the display size to more than 6 inches.

One of the recent reports is that the Galaxy Note 8 will include a feature similar to the Apple iPhone’s 3D Touch. The phone’s software will respond differently depending on the amount of pressure used to touch the screen.

Samsung has been working to establish new policies, an advisory board and testing regulations to ensure the safest battery possible in the Galaxy Note 8. In addition, the battery is rumored to last all day and charge quickly.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 will be running on Android Nougat, not Android O, Google’s next mobile operating system. Google is expected to make O available first on its Pixel 2 later this year, followed by other companies.

Galaxy Note 8 will have several security options, including a fingerprint sensor and hardware-based encryption. There’s also a good chance the device will have an iris scanner and facial-recognition scanner.

The Galaxy Note 8 will come with the S Pen stylus, and this one might be an improvement. Samsung each year improves the S Pen’s accuracy and ability to write on the screen.

There’s no telling how Samsung is pricing the Galaxy Note 8, but some reports say the company could offer a slight discount to quell customer concerns about battery problems. Expect the device to be available this summer.