Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Can it shake off the Note 7 fiasco?

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: All the rumours ahead of tonight's launch

23 August

After launching its iPhone-rivalling Galaxy S8 smartphone in April, the Korean tech giant is now gearing-up for the launch this afternoon of its all-new range-topping Note 8.

The new smartphone replaces the ill-fated Note 7, which made headlines last year after several users reported it caught fire either when they were making a phone call or while the mobile was in their pocket.

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This led to Samsung recalling the phones in October. An investigation into the fires revealed that an issue with the battery mechanism was causing a short circuit, resulting in the device combusting.

The new version is expected to have a dual-lens camera and a Galaxy S8-derived design, but will it be good enough to right the wrongs of the Note 7 fiasco?

Here's what to expect from tonight's announcement:

Its design will mirror the Galaxy S8

Samsung introduced an entirely new design for its flagship Galaxy S8 smartphone. The device's edge-to-edge infinity display has no physical buttons on the front panel signalling a departure from the Korean manufacturer's old mobiles.

The same aesthetic is expected on the upcoming Note 8, says BGR, as leaked images of a screen protector for the device show ultra-thin bezels and curved edges similar to the S8.

At the top of the screen protector are small cutouts for the Note 8's receiver, front-facing camera and light sensor. The bottom of the device is completely black, suggesting that the Note 8 will mirror the Galaxy S8 and have a rear mounted fingerprint scanner.

It will have a dual-lens camera at the back

The Note 8 is tipped to incorporate numerous features from its Galaxy S8 sibling, but Pocket-Lint says the new smartphone may have a dual-lens camera instead of the S8's single-lens setup.

The addition of a dual-lens camera could bring features such as optical image stabilisation and a "telephoto arrangement that offers 3x optical zoom", the site says.

One of the rear-facing cameras will feature a 13-megapixel sensor, while the other will be a 12-megapixel shooter, says T3. The dual-lens system will be placed vertically at the rear of the device and will feature LED flash.

This rumour was bolstered by a Samsung advert, reports Cnet, which shows images that could only have been taken on a dual-lens system. An "optical zoom and depth of field effect" were also "listed as features for a dual-camera module" on the company's Electro-Mechanics site.

If true, the Note 8's camera would be far more adjustable than the Galaxy S8's, as the latter's single-lens layout only has a digital zoom, a function that can pixelate images when nearing its maximum setting.

Expect an even bigger screen

The upcoming Note 8 is rumoured to have an even bigger screen than the Galaxy S8 Plus's 5.8ins display.

Fans can expect a screen size "north of 6.2ins", says Trusted Reviews, but the device's size is unlikely to exceed that of its predecessor due to its infinity display – this allows Samsung to pack a larger screen into a smaller area.

Screen resolution is expected to be boosted on the new device, too, as the website says there is a "possibility of a 4K Ultra HD screen on the horizon." Additionally, the new Galaxy S8's display had HDR (high dynamic range) functionality for better contrast ratios – a feature that could appear on the Note 8 as well.

Price and release

Samsung is gearing up "to launch its most expensive cellphone yet", says Venture Beat. The smartphone is slated to go on sale for €999 (£880), adds the website, making it nearly £200 more expensive than its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S8.

The Note 8 will be released this year, says TechRadar, but an official date has yet to be announced by Samsung.

However, the site says that larger Android-powered smartphones traditionally launch in August, which would be fitting for the Note 8 as this could undercut the much-rumoured iPhone 8 that's expected to launch towards the end of the year.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Has new mobile been revealed?

26 June

Samsung appears to have prematurely revealed its upcoming Galaxy Note 8 smartphone, posting a tweet featuring a mobile not currently available in its range.

It boasts a larger version of the firm's edge-to-edge Infinity Display and has a smaller top bezel than the Galaxy S8, while the front-facing camera and scanners are located further apart than on Samsung's existing mobiles.

There are also no buttons on the side, says TechRadar, which suggests it "may be just a mock-up or a shell for a new device instead of a full teaser for the Galaxy Note 8".

The smartphone not expected to make its official public debut until next month. TechTimes reports it will have a grand announcement on 23 August.

But considering the "legacy" left by the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco, "it makes sense for Samsung to pull out some marketing tricks to whip up anticipation for its new device", Alphr says.

As the tweet has not yet been deleted, the photo could be a "well-planned slip-up" to excite fans ahead of its release.