The latest Samsung Galaxy Note 8 leaks reveal the purported front panel, benchmark results, a top-end variant with 8 GB of RAM, and more.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has been leaking extensively as of late and the latest tidbits of information further boost excitement before the device's unveiling later this year. We're still months away from the Galaxy Note 8 launch, but the rumor mill is churning incessantly and more leaks are piling up, painting a clearer picture of what to expect.
Galaxy Note 8 'Emperor Edition' With 8GB RAM
A new post on Chinese microblogging site Weibo claims that Samsung will launch two Galaxy Note 8 variants. The standard one will reportedly pack 6 GB of RAM, while a higher-end model dubbed the "Emperor Edition" will boast a whopping 8 GB of RAM. The same leak also indicates that next year's Galaxy Note 9 will go all the way up to 12 GB of RAM, which seems like an overkill for a smartphone, even a massive one. The Android Soul echoed the Weibo post about the Emperor Edition of the Galaxy Note 8 and added that this model could also come with 256 GB of storage. The Emperor Edition could be exclusive to China.
Galaxy Note 8 Front Panel Leaks
Another leak, meanwhile, claims to show the front panel of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, revealing the location of the iris scanner, front camera, and ear speaker. The image reveals an impressively slim top bezel, which falls in line with other rumors that the Galaxy Note 8 would sport the same Infinity Display as the Galaxy S8 series. The Galaxy Note 8 is also expected to retain the same 18.5:9 aspect ratio of the Galaxy S8.
A separate image purportedly shows the Galaxy Note 8 front panel as well, but it seems more like a fan-art piece rather than a real render considering that no side buttons are visible.
Galaxy Note 8 Benchmark Results
The purported Galaxy Note 8 has also surfaced on the HTML5Test benchmark with model number SM-N950F, which measures browser performance. The benchmark lists the device with a high score of 488 out of 555 points, which is higher than the iPhone 8 Plus score of 415 out of 555.
The browser apparently shined most in terms of rendering videos and 2D graphics. The Galaxy Note 8 tested was running Android 7.1.1 Nougat, which echoes earlier rumors that the phablet would not launch with Android O on board out of the box.
Galaxy Note 8 Codename
Rumors have been hinting at the codename "Great" for the upcoming Galaxy Note 8, which trusted tipster Evan Blass, aka @evleaks, claims that is spelled as "Gr3at." The internally used codename indicates that Samsung has something great in store for the Galaxy Note 8, which would make sense considering that the company still has to overcome the Galaxy Note 7 mess from last year. The new-generation Galaxy Note 8 should come with the same eight-point battery safety program as the Galaxy S8, ensuring that it doesn't explode like its predecessor.
Galaxy Note 8 Rumored Specs
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is further rumored to come with a massive 6.4-inch QHD Infinity Display, a dual-rear camera setup (12MP wide-angle lens + 13MP telephoto lens), a Snapdragon 836 processor, Adreno 540 graphics, USB Type-C, a 3,200 mAh battery, a headphone jack, and an improved S Pen stylus.
The Galaxy Note 8 could also have a textured Bixby button that would feel different to the touch than the volume rocker so that users can easily distinguish between them.
Galaxy Note 8 Fingerprint Scanner
The Galaxy S8 launched with an uncomfortable fingerprint scanner mounted on its back, right next to the rear camera. The location makes it a bit impractical to use and often leads to accidental smudges on the camera, but rumors hinted at an in-display fingerprint sensor for the Galaxy Note 8.
However, Naver reportedly learned from a Samsung executive that due to "technical limitations such as security," the company has ultimately decided not to implement in-display fingerprint authentication after all.
Galaxy Note 8 Release Date
Lastly, the Galaxy Note 8 is expected to make its official debut at IFA 2017, which kicks off on Sept. 1 in Berlin.
Keep in mind that this is just a rumor roundup, however, so take these leaks and tidbits of information with a grain of salt.
