Samsung Note 8 Initial Impressions

If you're an iphone user and you want to know what it feels like to switch over to Samsung's flagship — you've come to the right place. And, if you're an android fan and you're here to read about my take on the Note 8 after having using an iPhone for the past few years, you'll be glad to know I really love this device.

First, let's get some of negative impressions out of the way so we can focus on the positives. And let me tell ya, the positives definitely outweighs the negatives by a lot.

Negative Impressions

Now, the obvious hurdle for switching over to the Note 8 is the size of this device. Granted... that it's naked slim profile makes it a little easier to handle, but when you add on a case – and you probably want to with a an expensive device like this – it can sometimes feels like you're carrying around a brick. If you're coming from an iPhone 6S Plus like I am, the switch over will feel like a breeze.

My second gripe is with the default Samsung keyboard. Oh man is it terrible. Prediction can be off and the capitalizing features can be inaccurately annoying compared to the iPhone. But luckily this is an android, and the ability to customize anything you want is why so many buy android devices.

After trying Google's GBoard and the ever popular SwiftKey keyboard, I can say that if you're looking for the near perfect iPhone comparison for the android, it's going to be SwiftKey. GBoard in fact feels middle of the road and can be inaccurate a lot of the time, albeit better than Samsung's keyboard.

And my last negative with the Note 8 is the lack of a native application to send pictures and videos quickly to your friends nearby. You know, something the iPhone has called AirDrop. If you've used AirDrop, you'll know how convenient that feature is and how easy it is to transfer large videos or picture files in one go. However, it's far from a deal breaker because you can also send high quality pics through Facebook messenger or WhatsApp.

Positive Impressions

Now that's out of the way, let's dig into why I love this device so much. I can honestly say early in 2018, this is the best device money can buy.

1. Bixby

My first favourite feature is Bixby. Yes, you heard that right - Samsung's new intelligent assistant that everyone seems to hate is one of my favourite thing about the device. And the Bixby button? Absolute convenience. I think Samsung nailed it with this feature.

So you're asking yourself, why? Well, let me just show you what it can do.

As you can see Bixby is able to manipulate the actual software as if it were your own fingers doing the commands. And when you couple this with the more mature Google assistant that can pick up on the missing features in Bixby, like directions, you have yourself powerful well rounded smart assistants.

2. Features, features, features

The one thing that can determine if a smart phone actually feels smart are the features. Samsung has packed so many features on this device that quite honestly, it feels like I'm using something from the future.

Let's start with the virtual shot mode in the camera settings that allows you to capture objects or people all around. I don't know about you, but this mode fascinates me. Or if that's not your thing and you're someone who enjoys tweaking your camera settings like a pro, well look no further than to Pro Mode, where you have the option to tweaking everything possible to get that perfect shot.

Having options is what Samsung is known for and that's evident in the many ways you can unlock your phone. Tired of reaching up to the fingerprint scanner on the back? Use the extremely quick face unlock. Or Iris scanner. Or if you want to move up on the cool scale, you can even unlock your device with your voice.

I don't know about you, but this makes iPhones fingerprint scanner feel primitive.

3. Display

At 6.3 inches, the display is top of line quality. I mean, what else do you expect from the largest manufacturer of TVs?
The colour display can be adjusted from being eye catching vibrant mode to color accurate basic mode in the display settings.  And if you're looking to save battery life and don't need the extra resolution, you have the ability to adjust that too.

I was in a flight sitting in the economy section that other day and I used the Note 8 as my in-flight entertainment. With Netflix preloaded and the AKG ear buds that came with the device, I fired up the movie and immediately I could appreciate the crisp movie watching experience.

4. Hardware

It's made out of gorilla glass on the front and back, which gives a nice premium in hand feel. It feels more like a rectangular square than its pebble like little brother the S8+,  and the corners are prominent, slightly digging into your palm.
It's less slippery compared to the iPhone 6S Plus aluminum back, however still possible to accidentally drop it if your hands are dry and it's cold out. A good phone case is definitely recommended, but if you hate the bulk of cases, use a hard slim case with an added ring holder in the back. It decreases the chance of destroying your phone dramatically.

5. Camera

The camera is an absolute beast. I'd rank it 2nd place after the Google Pixel 2 and beating the iPhone X. Photos come out sharp and full of details and when compared to the Pixel 2, it holds it own.

Next, the secondary x2 optical zoom comes in handy in everyday life. Initially I thought I would never really use it, but I found that it was one of the highlighting features of this phone. These wildlife pics would have been difficult to capture at that quality without the zoom feature.