Just after announcing the Meizu M8 Note launch at the Beijing Performing Arts Center on October 25, now Meizu has suddenly canceled the event. Meizu has cited some “site reasons” behind the cancellation of the launch event. The event site, Beijing Performing Arts center has some issues which led to the cancellation of the event.  Well, it seems quite absurd as many OEMs launch their devices at the same venue and has never met with these issues.

Well, whatever the actual reason is, it will remain under wraps as no one is going to give an explanation about it. So, for now, users can stick with the online broadcast at 19:30 Beijing Time (11:30 AM GMT) on October 25th. We will share the live streaming details on the day of Meizu M8 Note launch.

As far as the specs are concerned, Meizu M8 Note is touted as the “national camera phone” by the company. It will be interesting to know, how Meizu M8 Note camera stands against its competitors. As per the rumors, it will host the same dual camera module as like of Galaxy S7  featuring 1.4 μm large photosensitive pixels. There will be a 12 megapixel + 5-megapixel dual shooter and f/1.9 large aperture. While on the front an 8-megapixel shooter will take place for selfies.

• Read More: Meizu Note 8 camera samples reveal stunning low-light photography

Additionally, there will be a 5.7-inch display with the resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels having an aspect ratio of 18:9. It will be powered by a 2.0GHz octa-core processor which we think might be the Helio P60. As of now only 4GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage variant details are available. The phone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo and packs a 3,000mAh battery. It is expected to retail at the price of 1000-1500 yuan (~$144-$216).

So, let’s wait and watch for the official launch on October 25.

(Via)

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Recent reports hinted that Samsung Galaxy Note 9 may launch earlier than Note 8 this year, maybe because of the unsatisfying sales registered by the Galaxy S9 duo. Today, China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has certified two variants of the upcoming flagship phablet from the Korean hi-tech giant. The two variants are identified by the model numbers SM-N9600 and SM-N9608. We are talking about the unlocked variant of the handset and a carrier-branded version, and both will be released in the Chinese market.

Unfortunately, the certification by China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology did not reveal any of the specs of Samsung Galaxy Note 8, neither the photos of the upcoming device. But we already know something about it as it has been recently spotted on the famous benchmarking platform Geekbench. From what Geekbench showed, it will have Android 8.1 Oreo installed out of the box, which will be obviously customized by Samsung Experience UI. The handset surfaced on Geekbench carries the model number SM-N960U. Under the hood, it has an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset paired with 6 GB of RAM. As it features a Qualcomm SoC, it is the version of the handset which will hit the shelves in the U.S. as the European version will boast an octa-core Samsung Exynos 9810 chipset.

The score obtained by Samsung Galaxy Note 9 on Geekbench is 2,190 points in single-core performance and 8,806 points in multi-core. According to recent rumors, the phablet will sport an in-display fingerprint reader just like Vivo X21 UD as the company was rumored to be working on this technology. However, these are only speculation and they are yet to be confirmed. The device should also sport a dual camera setup with variable aperture just like Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus. And like every device from the Galaxy Note series, it will carry the support to S Pen.

(via)

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Samsung Turkey and Samsung Canada recently confirmed that Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will start receiving the final update to Android Oreo at the end of March. But according to a new report from France, the flagship phablet is already getting the update. A user has just published a screenshot of its device running Android Oreo after an official OTA update. So, it is not a beta firmware and it is the final version.

The build number of the update is N950FXXU3CRB9 and it brings Samsung Experience (the customized user interface from the company) to v9. The update to Android Oreo for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 also includes the latest security patch (March) and several new features. Now, users will benefit from an improved keyboard and search, as well as a new Bixby briefing which is richer with information and quick actions.

RELATED: Samsung Looking To Emerge As the Topmost Image Sensor Manufacturer

Don’t worry if you still did not receive the notification on your Samsung Galaxy Note 8 as the rollout should gradually expand to units in all the countries in the coming days. After the latest flagship by Samsung, several other devices are expected to receive the update to Android Oreo in the coming months. Click here if you want to know more about the Samsung Oreo update roadmap.

(Via)

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Phablet lovers, rejoice! Your beloved Samsung Galaxy Note series is back and this time around, it looks like the new Galaxy Note 8 is here to stay. For many, the wait has been frustrating. Given the sad fate of the Note 7, you were stuck with the old Samsung Galaxy Note 5 for nearly two years! But that’s no longer the case, as the new Galaxy Note 8 flagship has officially been announced and you can pre-order one as soon as tomorrow.

We already know a lot about the device, thanks to the hundreds of leaks in the past few months. So, let’s directly get on to the important stuff.

DESIGN

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ were two beautiful flagships with its infinity displays up front. Things are pretty much the same with the new Galaxy Note 8. The company has used a 6.3-inch screen up front with curved edges. It’s similar to the S8+ in its size, but has sharper corners, making it look taller. I love the infinity display on the S8+, so I’m happy to see the design continue over to its Note series sibling.

While the front looks beautiful, I can’t say the same about the back. The Note 8 comes with a fingerprint sensor at the back and it’s placement is still as bad as the S8. Further, the black bar that houses the dual cameras, flash, and fingerprint sensor is in black, which means, it stands out in colors other than Midnight Black. There are three other colors available, Orchid Gray, Maple Gold, and Deep Sea Blue. To be honest, the Note 8’s design isn’t extraordinary, but that’s fine, because what you get inside is quite impressive.

Some things to note: The phone has a USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, MicroSD card slot, and also a dedicated Bixby button. And yes, the phone is IP68 certified.

DISPLAY

If you have seen Galaxy S8’s infinity screen, you’d know what to expect with the Note 8’s Quad HD 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display. It comes with a 18.5:9 aspect ratio as well. Important thing to note here is that the Note 8 continues with the pressure sensitive home button, first seen on the S8. So, you can press the bottom center of the device to get back to home, even when you are watching a video or working on an app.

SPECS

The Galaxy Note 8 comes in two versions as expected — a Snapdragon 835 powered model for the US market and an Exynos 8895 powered model for the other markets. The RAM is increased to 6GB and you get 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options.

The battery is surprisingly smaller than even the S8+’s 3500mAh — just 3300mAh. Personally, I would have loved to see a larger battery on board, but can’t blame Samsung for playing it safe this year.

CAMERAS

While the design and display may not be unique, what’s interesting about the Note 8 are the new rear cameras. Yes, I said cameras, because it comes with two rear camera setup, one wide angle and another telephoto one. This is a familiar setup that we have seen on many phones before. So, there’s a 12MP f/1.7 primary sensor and another 12MP f/2.4 telephoto lens with 2X Optical Zoom. This means Samsung has finally joined the elite dual camera flagship club. But there’s more, the Galaxy Note 8 comes with OIS on each of these lenses, making it the first such smartphone in the market.

There are multiple camera features on board, the most prominent one being Live Focus. This is Samsung’s take on the portrait mode that we have seen on dual camera flagships in the past few months. What’s interesting about Live Focus is that it allows control over the amount of background blur, both while taking the shot as well as after you’ve taken it. Then there’s a special dual capture mode that takes both these shots simultaneously.

Coming to the front, you get an 8MP shooter with autofocus.

S Pen & Software

If you think the above features can be found on practically most flagships, this is where things change. The S Pen has been one loyal partner to the Note series and it makes a comeback in the Note 8 as well. Specs wise, it’s similar to the Note 7 with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, but software is really where the pen makes all the difference. Things like screen-off memo (take notes on your always on display) and Live messages (send gif like animated replies) make the S Pen unique and interesting. Given that there’s no real competitor to the S Pen in the smartphone market, the Note 8 is your best bet for a stylus equipped smartphone.

As for the software, you are still stuck with Android 7.1.1 with Samsung’s Experience UI on top. There’s a special App Pairs feature which launches two apps in a split screen format using just a tap. It aims to make full use of the phone’s large screen to increase productivity. Finally, there’s Bixby on board and with its dedicated button, the personal assistant is at your service 24 x 7.

Galaxy Note 8 Pricing & Release

The Note 8 goes on sale on September 15 and pre-orders start tomorrow. As expected, the phone isn’t cheap and starts at $930 unlocked in the US. That’s a premium price to pay for the dual cameras and S Pen stylus.

The Galaxy S8+ could be a pretty solid buy (~$200-$250 cheaper) instead of the Note 8 if you can give up on the stylus and dual cameras. What’s your take?

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