14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy Note 8 after a failed generation that was recalled due to exploding batteries, and given the more or less lack of innovation on this new model and how similar the phablet is to the Galaxy S series, critics have suggested the company should retire this brand.
But the Note model is here to stay, Samsung’s mobile chief Koh Dong-jin said in an interview, and the recently-launched Note 8 is living proof that the firm remains committed to this device.
The Note 8 comes with a 6.3-inch display, only slightly bigger than the 6.2-inch screen on the Galaxy S8+, both featuring a 1440x2960 pixels resolution. The two devices share the same chip lineup (Snapdragon 835 and Exynos 8895), as well as the same GPU.
The Note, on the other hand, comes with the signature Samsung S Pen, a dual-camera setup (which uses a lens borrowed from the S8), 6GB RAM (like the South Korean version of the S8+), and several storage options up to 256GB. Furthermore, it has a battery of just 3,300 mAh, down from 3,500 mAh on the Galaxy S8+.
Aiming to sell more than 11 million units
“Customer demands are diverse. Some always want new features, while others want a phone that can be used for two to three years. We are not sticking to innovation itself. We will seek innovation that can be truly embraced by customers. The Note 8 has also been upgraded based on customer surveys,” the Samsung official said when asked about the lack of innovative features on the new Note.
Koh Dong-jin said Samsung wants to sell more than 11 million Note 8 units, though he admits the company could adjust shipments because the focus is on the Galaxy S8 as well. The South Korean firm is well aware of the possibility the two devices to steal each other’s share, especially given the similarities between them.
But in the end, the Note brand will live on, no matter the criticism, the Samsung official says, so rest assured because there’s a big chance a Note 9 is also on the radar for a summer of 2018 launch.
“I have been frequently asked about the possibility of abandoning the brand. But we cannot give up on a brand that has been nurtured for years and has loyal customers. Some of our rivals were initially skeptical about the bigger-screen concept, but now they are following us with their own phablet models. We will continue to lead the segment,” he concluded.