Event Coverage

Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

By Sidney Wong - 26 Feb 2013

Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Another Tablet Screen Size.

Samsung is fond of introducing unconventional screen sizes for its mobile devices, and it is no surprise that the Korean company launched an 8-inch version of its popular line of Galaxy Note devices. Known as the Galaxy Note 8.0, what features does it has? Is it just another Galaxy Note device with a different screen size? Read on to find out more. Before you do so, here's a quick look at its specs: -

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Key highlights of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

  • Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
  • 8.0-inch TFT display / 1280 x 800 pixels
  • Quad-core 1.6GHz processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16 / 32GB nternal memory (microSD support up to 64GB)
  • 5MP rear autofocus camera / 1.3MP front facing camera
  • 4600mAh battery
  • 338g
  • 210.8 x 135.9 x 7.95mm
     
  • Pricing and availability: Available from Q2 globally
     

 

How the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 stands in the Galaxy Note Family
  Samsung Galaxy Note II (LTE) Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (LTE)
Networks GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / HSPA+ 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE 1800 / 2600
HSPA+850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 / HSPA+ 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE 1800 / 2600
Display 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED 8.0-inch TFT 10.1-inch LCD
Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels   1280 x 800 pixels 1280 x 800 pixels
OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich
(at launch)
Processor Exynos 4412 Quad 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos 4412 Quad 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos 4 Quad 1.4GHz quad-core
RAM 2GB 2GB 2GB
Storage 16GB
(microSD support up to 64GB)
16 / 32GB
(microSD support up to 64GB)
16GB
(microSD support up to 32GB)
Front Camera 1.9MP 1.3MP 1.9MP
Rear Camera 8MP autofocus 5MP autofocus 5MP autofocus
Battery 3100mAh 4600mAh 7000mAh
Dimensions 151 x 81 x 9.4mm 210.8 x 135.9 x 7.95mm 262 x 180 x 8.9mm
Weight 180g 338g 600g

 

Design and Handling 

The design language of the Galaxy Note 8.0 remains largely similar to the Galaxy Note II and Galaxy Note 10.1 - plastic chassis with rounded corners. While it is important to maintain a standard design across its portfolio of mobile devices, we had expected Samsung to take a leap of faith to come up with something different. 

Aesthetically, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (left) looks no different from the Samsung Galaxy Note II (right).

We would have preferred a radically different design for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0.

Due to the use of plastic, the Galaxy Note 8.0 lacks the premium and solid feel of better built devices such as the Apple iPad mini. Nonetheless, it is considered quite lightweight at 338g and measures 7.95mm thin. To put things into perspective, here's a quick comparison with the Apple iPad mini and Toshiba Regza Tablet AT270: 

  • Apple iPad mini (Wi-Fi + 4G): 312g, 7.2mm
  • Toshiba Regza Tablet AT270 (3G): 350g, 7.85mm

It is noteworthy to mention that the Galaxy Note 8.0 is designed to be held in one hand and navigated using another. This is evident in the size of the bezel around the screen, and the physical dimensions of the device itself.

It is still weird to see people putting the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 beside their ears during voice call conversations.

 

Software 

The Galaxy Note 8.0 runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and Samsung TouchWiz's user interface. Do expect the same suite of TouchWiz features such as Smart Stay, Air View and Popup Video on the 8-inch device.

The S Pen of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (left) looks, feels and works very much like the S Pen of the Galaxy Note II (right).

As tablet users generally read on their devices, Samsung has preloaded a special feature called Reading mode on the Galaxy Note 8.0. It is stated to automatically optimize the display resolution for a better reading experience.

We were unable to determine the extent of improvement brought about by the Reading mode. As such, we will explore this feature in detail once we have the review unit.

By default, Readers Hub and Play Books are supported by Reading Mode. You also can add other apps to the support list.

 

Synthetic Benchmarks and Imaging Test 

We managed to run two benchmarks and captured an image using the rear camera of the Galaxy Note 8.0. As the unit on display is likely to be a prototype, the device's performance may vary from the final retail unit.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 fared better in the Quadrant benchmark when compared to the Galaxy Note II (6080) and Galaxy Note 10.1 (5318).

In the Sunspider Javascript benchmark, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 trailed behind the Galaxy Note II (1040.2) and Galaxy Note 10.1 (1216.9). It is however ahead of the Apple iPad mini (1541.5).

This is a test shot taken at the Samsung booth. The image quality is decent for a tablet. Click to see the photo in full resolution.

During our hands-on with the Galaxy Note 8.0, we found the navigation to be slightly smoother than the Galaxy Note II we were using. It is possible that the final retail unit will even be smoother after Samsung irons out any software bugs and issues.

 

Comparison shots with the Apple iPad mini

It is not hard to guess Samsung's strategy in introducing an 8-inch tablet in the market. Its most obvious target is the 7.9-inch Apple iPad mini. Hence, we decided to put the two bitter rivals side by side for comparison.

The Apple iPad mini vs the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

The 7.95mm Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 comes closes to the 7.2mm thin Apple iPad mini.

There is no doubt that the Apple iPad mini has a better build quality than the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. 

 

Accessories for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

There are quite a few choices of cases, sleeves and covers for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0.

There are different ways to hold the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 in place. The case can be folded to support the device in landscape mode.

Holding the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 allows you to type at a certain angle.

The case can be folded in another manner where it can support the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 in two positions: landscape and portrait.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 in landscape mode.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 in portrait mode.

 

Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 will be available globally from Q2 2013. For now, let's take a look at the competition facing the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0: - 

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 against the Apple iPad mini and Toshiba Regza Tablet AT270
  Apple iPad mini Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Toshiba Regza Tablet AT270
Display 7.9-inch IPS LCD 8.0-inch TFT 7.7-inch AMOLED
Resolution 1024 x 768 pixels 1280 x 800 pixels 1280 x 800 pixels
OS Apple iOS 6.0.1 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Android 4.0.3Ice Cream Sandwich
(at launch)
Processor Apple A5 dual-core 1GHz Exynos 4412 Quad 1.6GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core 1.2GHz
RAM 512MB 2GB 1GB
Storage 16 / 32 / 64GB 16 / 32GB
(microSD support up to 64GB)
32GB
(microSD support up to 128GB)
Front Camera 1.2MP 1.3MP 2MP
Rear Camera 5MP autofocus 5MP autofocus 5MP autofocus
Battery 4400mAh 4600mAh 3940mAh
Dimensions 200 x 134.7 x 7.2mm 210.8 x 135.9 x 7.95mm 204.5 x 135.2 x 7.85mm
Weight 312g 338g 350g
Join HWZ's Telegram channel here and catch all the latest tech news!
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.