Ahead of the official kickoff to Mobile World Congress on Monday morning, Samsung has officially announced the forthcoming launch of its latest entry in the Note line in the Note 8.0, which is meant to compete directly with the iPad Mini. The tablet/phone hybrid increases the viewable area of its display by an inch while using the same resolution as the Note 10.1 with an increased pixel density.
Samsung is positioning the Note 8.0 as an alternative to dedicated e-reader devices by featuring an Exynos 4 Quad processor clocked at 1.6GHz and paired with 2GB RAM, radios for WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS/GLONASS and HSPA+ 21 support (850/900/1900/2100MHz), up to 32GB of internal storage with a microSD expansion slot available and a 4,600mAh battery. The Note 8.0 will also ship with version 4.1.2 of Android Jelly Bean.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is still ostensibly a phone due to the cellular radio included, but the phone is also being positioned as a perpetual companion by including support for Smart Stay, Multi-Window and Air View functionality, Popup Video and Note, as well as AllShare Play and Cast as first found on the Galaxy S III.
Also included and of interest to heavy S Pen users are two third-party apps that are pre-loaded onto the Note: a custom version of Flipboard customized to take advantage of the S Pen’s hover and preview capabilities and Awesome Note, a supercharged note taking application which is debuting as a one-year exclusive to the device. In a major first for the Note line, the phone will now have the ability to control the Android navigation keys (back and menu) with the S Pen.
Mentioned earlier as an e-reader alternative, the Note 8.0 includes “reading mode,” which adjusts the LCD display for a prolonged reading experience which is still compatible with third-party e-reader apps and Smart Remote, a Peel-powered application that’s a hybrid visual program guide and remote control software using the built-in infrared port meant for living room use.
As expected, Samsung will also release Wi-Fi only and LTE compatible versions of the Galaxy Note 8.0, but have not confirmed release timeframes for those respective versions and only confirming the currently announced 3G version for the second quarter of the year with no pricing or availability information as of yet.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Specs:
- Network: HSPA+ 21Mbps 850/900/1900/2100
- Dimensions (3G Version): 210.8mm x 135.9mm [official depth not included by Samsung]
- Weight: 338 grams
- Processor: 1.6GHz A9 quad-core
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Storage: 16/32GB; microSD
- Display: 8″ WXGA (1280×800, 189 ppi) TFT
- Software: Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
- Battery: 4600mAh
