The top 5 reasons to buy the Galaxy Note 8 (and a few reasons why you shouldn't)
Phones
These are the top five reasons to buy the Galaxy Note 8. We at CNET have had some time with a Galaxy Note 8. So this list is based on our first impressions.
This could change after our full review.
Let's get to it.
And number five is APP PAIRING.
Samsung's Note phones usually get neat sophomore features ahead of its other phones.
With a Note 8 you get a fancy new multi-tasking option called App Pair.
If you frequently use two apps together in split screen mode, you can link them together and open them both with a single tap.
Seems like a great feature for power users.
Number four is the S Pen.
If you are a person who wants to write on your screen, the Note is the way to go.
Like the Note 7, the Note 8 comes with a stylist that features 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.
Samsung also included the ability to write on your Note 8 without having to unlock the device.
And number #3 are the dual rear cameras.
The Note 8 is the first Samsung phone with two rear cameras.
Surprising, right?
Anyway, both cameras have optical image stabilization which should help to capture clearer photos and smoother video.
It also allows the Note 8 to take photos when the subject is in focus while the background is not.
You even get a 2S optical zoom.
Number two is, it is unlocked from the start.
Unlike other Samsung phones, the Galaxy Note 8 will be sold unlocked immediately from its release.
Normally, if you wanted the latest Samsung phone as soon as possible, you would whine up getting a carrier locked model.
But an unlocked Note 8. You can pick up the phone and hop carriers without any trouble, that's a pretty big bonus.
Before we get to number one let's talk about the reasons not to buy the Galaxy Note 8.
It's not that different from the S8+.
While the Note does have a slightly larger screen with a slightly different design the resolution is the same, it does have more Ram though.
The Note 8 also has a smaller battery than the S8 plus.
If you weren't a fan of that rear fingerprint sensor location on the S8, you might not want to hear this.
The Note 8 also has a rear fingerprint sensor.
Reach away.
Then there is that price.
The full retail price ranges from $930 to $960.
You can get S8 plus for around $700 online.
Let's get to number one.
And the number reason to buy a Galaxy Note 8 is you owned or wanted a Galaxy Note 7.
The Note 7 was really well like by reviewers and its users alike.
Battery issues forced Samsung to recall the phone but people did not want to give up their Note 7s.
Samsung let the public know that it would give a Discount on the Galaxy Note 8 and they are standing by that.
Note 7 owners who go to samsung.com will get an instant trade in value of up to $425 when they upgrade their current phone for a Note 8. The Note 8 should be everything the Note 7 was supposed to be minus that fire problem.
A big thank you goes to CNET's Jessica Dolcourt for helping me out with this episode.
If you want to know more about the Galaxy Note 8, we've got you covered at CNET.com.
I'm Iyaz Akhtar, and I'll see you online.
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