GADGET WATCH: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

It’s becoming harder to justify merging the smartphone and tablet categories. For many users, a “phablet” is simply too large: which is possibly why Samsung has decided to make the Galaxy Note 8.0 a pure tablet device in some regions.

Samsung has been on a winning streak with its tablets and smartphones. Can it continue that success with the Galaxy Note?

Hardware and features

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 features an eight-inch display with a resolution of 800×1280, with either 16GB or 32GB of storage, and 2GB of RAM. The device also features a microSD slot with support for up to 64GB.

The gadget is powered by a Quad-core 1.6Ghz Cortex A9 processor, and runs on the Jelly Bean Android operating system.

Connectivity-wise, the gadget features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a microUSB 2.0 port. There are also two cameras, with the main lens at 5 megapixels, along with a secondary lens of 1.3 megapixels.

What’s the consensus?

Over at Engadget, the publication noted the device has a sturdy build, “soft to the touch without being slippery”.

It also noticed differences between this version and old versions of the Note, with difference placement of the hardware buttons.

“Head-on, the Note 8.0 looks just like any other high-end Galaxy device: capacitive buttons for menu and back hug the physical home button below the display, while the company’s logo, a front-facing camera and sensor reside up top.”

However, The Verge differed on the build, saying it “could be great, if only the company would use slightly better materials”.

It also gave mixed assessments of the gadget’s display and speakers, saying the screen was “as good as almost any of its direct competitors”, but the speakers fell behind.

“The two speakers at the bottom of the tablet are neither very loud nor very good, and since most of the time you’ll be in landscape mode while watching movies or playing games, you’re not exactly getting stereo sound.”

At Slashgear, the publication had a lot to say about the S-Pen, noting that while the device itself was good, the tablet is “just a bit too big to hold comfortably” while using the pen itself.

It also had a lot to say about battery life, noting the device will work non-stop for about six hours.

“Without mobile data running your battery into the ground, and if you’re not kicking out top-brightness or using your GPS to map the world, you’ll have some rather great battery life with the Galaxy Note 8.0.”

Who’s it for?

This tablet certainly isn’t for everyone. But if you’re looking for something small you can just do some casual work on, and you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on something bigger, it’s worth a look. Especially if you like working with a stylus.