Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Vs iPhone 8: Every Rumour Compared [Updated]

Apple and Samsung are about to go head-to-head with two new flagship smartphones. In the Cupertino corner, we have the iPhone 8. In the South Korean corner: the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Here’s everything we think we know about both devices, based on the most credible and trustworthy leaks.

We normally refrain from reporting on hardware rumours at Lifehacker – that’s more Gizmodo’s bag. However, the recent cavalcade of leaked news for the iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8 have been pretty hard to ignore. If you haven’t been keeping abreast of the headlines, here’s everything we (think) we know so far.

Design

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to follow the same visual template as the highly regarded Galaxy S8. Evan Blass from @evleaks shared the following render last week, which purports to show what the finished product will look like. As you can see, it shares the S8’s bezel-free sides with borders at the top and bottom for the usual lenses and sensors.

Most credible reports cite a 6.3-inch 2960 x 1440 WQHD+ AMOLED display with a similar S pen stylus to the Note 7.

Apple iPhone 8

Last week, Apple accidentally leaked details about the iPhone 8 in a HomePod firmware update. Whoops. This all but confirmed an earlier report on iDrop News which revealed a substantially larger iPhone. The report, obtained by Apple factory workers, suggests dimensions of 143.59 x 70.94 x 7.57 mm. (Compared to the iPhone 7’s 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm.)


iPhone 8 design leak. Image credit: iDrop News

This should make the iPhone 8 a nice compromise for people who found the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus too small and large, respectively. More excitingly, it will also feature a bezel-free design with an edge-to-edge 5.8-inch OLED display and no Home button. Additional reports point towards a glass body.

Specs

Apple iPhone 8

If the latest insider leaks can be believed, the iPhone 8 will feature Apple’s A11 processor. According to a DigiTimes report, the A11 will be built using TSMC’s 10 nanometer (10nm) FinFET manufacturing process, making it the company’s most powerful and efficient chip to date.

In terms of memory, analysts are predicting that Apple will stick with 3GB of RAM for its new phone and the usual selection of internal storage options.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Samsung has done a better job of keeping its next flagship phone’s chipset under wraps. Some analysts believe the phone will come with Samsung’s new Exynos 8895 processor, while others think Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 is more likely. We may also see a situation similar to previous Galaxy models, were the CPU changes between markets.

It is also likely that the phone will come with 6GB of RAM, 64GB of base storage and a microSD card slot.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

For the past few weeks, Samsung has been bigging up its new dual rear camera technology on its own website. This suggests that the Note 8 will feature dual rear cameras – a first for a Samsung phone. If the same camera module is used, you can also expect a 3x optical zoom.

This is significant, as it will give the Note 8 a longer reach than pretty much any other smartphone on the market. (Finally, no more cropping at the expense of image clarity.) It should also translate to superior low-light photography.

Apple iPhone 8

Apple is also planning big things for the iPhone’s photography chops. According to a technical document posted on the Chinese social networking site Weibo, the iPhone 8 will sport a vertically aligned dual-camera system.

As revealed in the aforementioned HomePod leak, it will also boast a front-facing 4K camera capable of capturing video at 60 frames per second. The camera will also reportedly use Apple’s new video format — HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec) for vastly improved compression.

New features

Apple iPhone 8

If rumours can be believed, the iPhone 8 will sport a range of improvements and new features. Leaked changes that seem credible include a rear-facing Touch ID and/or a 3D Face Scanner, a dedicated chip for AI capabilities and wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Unlike the iPhone, Samsung is purportedly taking an “if-it-ain’t-broke” approach with the Galaxy Note 8. It will likely boast a slightly larger screen than the ill-fated Note 7 and a possible boost to the native resolution. Some rumours discuss a 4K Ultra HD display, but nothing is concrete just yet. Otherwise, expect a gentle evolution of the Galaxy S8 with the exception of the aforementioned camera improvements. (See above.)

Price

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

The last few Galaxy phones have slugged consumers with a slight price bump and we expect that trend to continue. Some reports are setting the base price at an eye-watering $US1258, although we expect somewhere closer to $1000 to be more likely. Naturally, you’ll be able to snap up the phone on a contract from Australia’s major telcos and pay it off incrementally.

Apple iPhone 8

The iPhone 8’s rumoured pricing has proven somewhat controversial. A senior executive for Apple’s manufacturing partner Foxconn stated on social media that the iPhone 8 “won’t be cheap” due to higher manufacturing costs. (The post was quickly deleted, but by then the news was out.)

If the rumours can be believed, the new model could cost an astronomical $US1400. This is pricey even for an iPhone. Mind you, if rumours of the bezel-free design and larger screen prove accurate, the resulting buzz will probably help to justify the price hike.

Release date

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Samsung has scheduled a big event for August 23, where we expect the company to officially launch the Galaxy Note 8.

Apple iPhone 8

Apple still hasn’t set a date for its launch event, but if past iPhone reveals are any indication, you can expect it to be officially unveiled sometime in mid-September.

Conclusion

It’s clear that Apple and Samsung aren’t attempting to reinvent the wheel this time around: if you were hoping for a bendy screen or all-new form factor, you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer. With that said, barring some unforeseen catastrophe, both phones will likely be the best versions of their respective brands yet.


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