Tested Samsung Galaxy Note 8
The non-exploding stylus-equipped phablet
So here it is: the sequel to a smartphone that wouldn’t stop exploding. And yet Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 isn’t all that different to its pyromaniacal predecessor.
A big, supercharged handset with a jaw-dropping display, it’s every bit the kick-ass flagship phablet you’d expect. The headline change for 2017? This Note shouldn’t go ‘boom’ any time soon. That’s what Samsung promises, and it’s thankfully proved true in our time with the phone so far.
But let’s not get too hung up on its mere ability to not self-destruct, as this phone has many positive qualities. Essentially a slightly bigger Galaxy S8, it has an awesome 6.3in screen to work across and relax with, a dual-lens camera that takes a great photo even when zoomed in, and a built-in stylus that remains a smart sidekick to a ridiculously powerful package. Only hit-and-miss facial recognition holds this superphone back from being a perfect all-rounder.
A few new clever bells and whistles might not be enough to persuade most people to remortgage their house, though. And others might simply not fancy fitting such a big phone in their hand. So in case it wasn’t already abundantly clear, the Note 8 is a niche concern.
If you are minded to lay down nearly £900 for this smartphone, it’s worth being absolutely sure that you’re actually going to get the most from it. That means the stylus, the dual-lens camera and the ginormous screen. The whole lot of it. Otherwise you’re better off saving 100 quid and getting the almost equally massive Galaxy S8+. For a select few, however, the Note 8 is the ultimate Galaxy phone.