Samsung Galaxy Note 8 - Bitten By the Ugly Bug

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be hitting Philippine shores in two weeks. Yugatech reports that the suggested retail price will be Php23,990. This places is at 2K higher the price of the Apple iPad mini LTE that it will be competing against. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8, features a more powerful processor, expandable memory and the S-Pen (stylus). The Apple iPad mini will have faster LTE connectivity.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 8-inch HD (768 x 1280) display
• 16 GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot
• 2 GB RAM
• 1.6 GHz quad core Samsung Exynos 4 processor
• 5 MP primary camera with no flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 4600 mAh battery
• S-Pen

Essentially, the specifications are nearly identical to a Galaxy Note 2, with a larger screen and battery, with a downgraded camera.

Unfortunately, what it does not borrow from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is the design. Instead of the thin bezel surrounding the 5.5-inch display of the Galaxy Note 2, you have a rather large bezel around the 8-inch display of the Galaxy Note 8. Compare the Galaxy Note 8 design to a Samsung Galaxy S 4, and the Galaxy Note 8 looks even more dated.

For the asking price, the Galaxy Note 8 offers enough in terms of hardware and software with the S-Pen optimized Android OS. I am just wondering if its rather dated look will get into the way of its road to success.