Best answer: If you don’t care about having the absolute latest tech, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is still a great smartphone in 2018 and can be purchased for as much as $250 less than the newer Note 9.
- Amazon: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 ($742)
- Amazon: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 ($1,000)
The Galaxy Note 8 is still plenty powerful
Despite being a year old, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s specs continue to deliver in 2018.
Powering the phone is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 with 6GB of RAM, and while the 835 has since been succeeded by the newer 845, it still works great for just about anything you throw at it. When it comes to RAM, the Note 8 actually has more than Google’s new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
You also get 64GB of expandable storage (up to 256GB), dual 12MP rear cameras, an 8MP selfie camera, and a 3,330 mAh battery.
Its InfinityDisplay continues to look great
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp6uNav8Z9w?modestbranding=0&html5=1&rel=0&autoplay=0&wmode=opaque&loop=0&controls=1&autohide=0&showinfo=0&theme=dark&color=red&enablejsapi=1]
One area in which Samsung always dominates is with its displays, and the Note 8 is no exception to that rule. Outfitted with a 6.3-inch Quad HD+ curved AMOLED panel, the Note 8’s screen is just as much of a joy to look at now as it was a year ago.
Colors are bright and vibrant, the text is extremely crisp, and everything just pops in a way you don’t see even on more current flagships.
The Note 9’s biggest advantage is its battery
As great as the Note 8 is, there are a few things you don’t get with it that you will find with the newer Note 9.
Most notably, the battery in the Note 9 is considerably larger. While the 3,330 mAh unit for the Note 8 isn’t necessarily bad, it just doesn’t hold a candle to the Note 9’s monstrous 4,000 mAh pack. The Note 9 also gets the win when it comes to internal storage — offering up to 512GB out of the box and then allowing you to expand it up to another 512GB with a microSD card.
Other things you won’t find on the Note 8 include:
- Remote S Pen functionality (use as a clicker for slide shows, shutter button for the camera, etc.)
- Modest camera improvements
- Better rear fingerprint sensor placement
The Note 8 remains a good purchase
If you can live without the larger battery and remote S Pen functionality, the Galaxy Note 8 is absolutely still worth a look — especially considering that you can save up to $250 compared to the Note 9’s starting price.
Still going strong
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
$742 at Amazon
One year old and holding up great.
It might not be Samsung’s latest or greatest phone anymore, but the Galaxy Note 8 is still a force to be reckoned with. The 6.3-inch AMOLED display still looks fantastic, the Snapdragon 835 + 6GB of RAM is plenty powerful, and the camera package continues to deliver excellent photos and videos.
Latest and greatest
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
$1,000 at Amazon
The best that Samsung offers.
If you’re okay spending $1,000, the Galaxy Note 9 delivers the best smartphone you can buy from Samsung right now. It’s got the very latest specs, the best camera, and is currently first in line ahead of the company’s other phones for new Android updates as they become available.
