Which one is best for you?
The Galaxy Note8 and the S8+ are both large format phones (just a tenth of an inch apart in screen size) and pretty similar in many respects. But the Note8 has one big distinguishing feature – the S-Pen.
The stylus, or S-Pen, slots into the Note8’s body just beside the USB port. As soon as you remove it, a dedicated menu pops up, giving you quick access to many extra features. Live message, for example, lets you personalise your communications by creating your own emojis, animated GIFs and more. You can even make notes on the screen without unlocking it – so you never need to worry about finding a pen and paper again.
The other main difference between the two phones is the camera. The Note8 comes with not one, but two, rear-facing 12-megapixel cameras. One is set to 2x optical zoom, and both have optical image stabilisation. This means you can enjoy clear shots even when zooming in – and the two combine to allow you to create stunning depth of field effects, like blurring out the background while keeping your subject crystal clear.
In performance terms, the two are fairly well matched. The Note8 has 6GB RAM compared to 4GB for the S8+, but the S8 Plus actually has a slightly larger battery, and boasts an impressive 34 hours talk time compared to 22 for the Note8. So if the S-Pen and the more sophisticated camera appeal to you, then the Note8 is the one to go for – but if you simply want a large-screen phone with all the sophistication you’d expect from Samsung’s flagship range, the S8+ might be a better pick.
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Samsung
Galaxy Note8
See the big picture on a wide-aspect 6.3-inch curved Infinity Display
Take amazing pictures and video with a dual lens camera and use Live focus to instantly create professional looking images
Take notes, personalise messages create your own GIFs, and more with the S Pen
Capture all the action in Super Slo-mo video mode
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Samsung
Galaxy S8 Plus
Get better photos with a camera that takes multiple images and automatically chooses the best for you
View crystal clear photos and videos on the gorgeous 6.2-inch curved Infinity display
Unlock your phone quickly and securely with a glance, using iris recognition
Access advanced features with ease thanks to the Bixby personal assistant
| Name | Galaxy Note8 | Galaxy S8 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Image |
Buy the Galaxy Note8 |
Buy the Galaxy S8+ |
| Display | 6.3 inches | 6.2 inch Infinity Display |
| Size and weight |
Height: 162.5 mm Width: 74.8 mm Depth: 8.6 mm Weight: 195 grams |
Height: 159.5 mm Width: 73.4 mm Depth: 8.1 mm Weight: 173 grams |
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video recording | 2160p@30fps | 4K video recording at 30 fps |
| Processor | Exynos 8895 | Exynos 8895 |
| Battery | 3300 mAh | 3500 mAh |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Splash, water and dust resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Buy now | Buy the Galaxy Note8 | Buy the Galaxy S8+ |