Introduction

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is still a phone for people that want to buy a phone in 2026. People who want to buy this phone like that it has something called the S Pen that you can write with. People that want to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 also like that it is made of metal and glass. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is small. Has two good cameras, on the back. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 was first released for sale in 2017. When the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 was first released, the device came provided with the S Pen and a nice screen that is 6.3 inches in size. The screen technology used in this device is a Super AMOLED Infinity Display screen. Equally important, the device has two 12-megapixel cameras on the back and internal components such as the Exynos 8895 and the Snapdragon 835.Today, this device should be purchased as a refurbished device with a new battery and warranty, or a used device that has been inspected for hardware functions.

Quick specs table

Markdown spec table

Field	Detail
Model name	Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Release date	2017-09-15 (regional launch dates vary)
SoC	Exynos 8895 (global) / Snapdragon 835 (USA/China)
CPU / GPU	Octa-core / Mali-G71 MP20 or Adreno 540
RAM	6 GB
Storage	64 / 128 / 256 GB (region dependent) + microSD up to 256 GB
Display	6.3″ Super AMOLED, 2960×1440 (Infinity Display), 18.5:9
Rear cameras	Dual 12MP (wide f/1.7 OIS + tele f/2.4 OIS)
Front camera	8 MP, f/1.7
Battery	3300 mAh,perturbed fast charge, wireless charging
OS at launch	Android 7.1.1 Nougat (Samsung Experience)
Latest official OS	Device-dependent  generally up to Android 9 (security updates vary)
Dimensions / Weight	162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6 mm / 195 g
Biometrics	Rear fingerprint sensor, iris scanner, face unlock (basic)
Connectivity	LTE (various bands), Wi-Fi AC, BT 5.0 (or 4.2), NFC
Extras	S Pen, IP68 dust/water resistance
Colors	Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Deep Sea Blue, Maple Gold (region dependent)

Design & display  what to expect

Design and build

The Note 8 really looks nice now. It has a metal frame with glass on the front and back. The corners are rounded. The screen is curved, making the phone look fancy. The Note 8 has what is called the infinitude Display. This screen goes all the way to the edges of the phone. On the back of the Note 8, at the top left, there are two cameras side by side. The fingerprint sensor follows next to the cameras. Some people did not like where the fingerprint sensor was placed when the Note 8 came out. They thought it was an idea because when you try to touch the sensor you might accidentally touch the camera glass and get it dirty.

Materials: anodized aluminum frame combined with Gorilla Glass both in front and back. The back with glass looks good but is brittle; drop protection and a protecting case are a must for used units.

Durability

The Note 8 comes with an IP68 rating out of the box, although this type of Protection isn’t needed for daily dust and beating resistance. Over time, the device’s seal to water may not be as effective if repairs or accidental drops have compromised its adhesive or sealants. If buying a used device, the SIM slot and other areas where adhesive are visible should not be compromised in any way.

Display characteristics and what to check

The 6.3″ Super AMOLED panel delivers strong color, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Typical checks for used units:

• Look for burn-in or image retention on static UI elements such as status bars, navigation areas, and app headers  AMOLED panels can retain ghost images after years of static content. Hold a solid-color image or white screen and look for uneven brightness or faint shadows.
• Inspect for dead pixels and color consistency  issues.
• Verify brightness: older devices may have diminished maximum brightness; test outdoors if possible.

Practical in-person checklist

• Screen: dead pixels, burn-in, discoloration, responsiveness of touch.
• Back glass:ultrathin cracks, camera glass clarity.
• Frame: dents, bends, or gaps between glass and frame.
• Ports & SIM tray: corrosion, loose connectors.

Performance & battery life

SoC and everyday speed

The Note 8 was running on the Exynos 8895 processor or the Snapdragon 835 processor. Both of these processors are popular for a reason because they were good in 2017. They are good for surfing the web through social media, watching videos, and even doing certain tasks at work. The Note 8 also has certain capabilities, one of which includes the use of two applications on the same screen simultaneously.

However, the Note 8 may not be very good in games or when using many apps at once. The brain and graphics of the Note 8 will begin to reveal their age. This means that the Note 8 will get warm and start to delay opening apps. The Exynos 8895 and SnapDragon 835, which are in the Note 8, will have issues with this.The 6 GB RAM is sufficient for split-screen usage but is lower than the newer flagship offerings. In case of buying a refurbished phone, look for one that comes with minimal bloatware.

Storage types & speed

Storage Speed Matters: UFS is faster than eMMC, and while performance differences may not always be dramatic, they do add up in app launch times and media management. If you can identify the type of storage (Seller label/specifications), it is recommended to opt for devices with UFS storage for faster performance in general use scenarios.

Battery capacity & expectations

Original capacity: 3300 mAh. Batteries age  lithium-ion cells lose capacity with cycles and calendar aging.

What to expect:

• Worn battery: 34 hours screen-on time (SOT) with moderate usage.
• Healthy/replaced battery: 46 hours SOT is realistic with light-to-moderate usage.
• Battery replacement is often a cost-effective way to increase usable life and is recommended for owners who plan to keep the device.

Battery checks to perform:

• Ask the seller for battery health reading (if available) or test by using the phone actively for 2030 minutes.
• Check charge cycles if the seller can provide that information (some apps can expose this).
• Test wired charging and broadcast charging for consistency and heating.

Thermal behavior & longevity

Long gaming sessions, benchmarks, or heavy camera usage may heat the device and activate thermal throttling. Occasional warmth is normal; severe overheating or rapid battery drain is a red flag.

Cameras 

Hardware recap

The Note 8 marked Samsung’s debut in the Note series with a dual rear camera configuration. While the primary camera was a 12-megapixel lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.7 and Optical Image strengthening, the second camera was a 12-megapixel lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.4 and Optical Image Stabilization.

Strengths

• Strong daylight performance with pleasing color rendering.
• Useful telephoto 2× optical zoom for portrayal and medium-range shots.
• OIS on both lenses helps in low-light stills and stabilized video.

Limitations 

• Low-light photography is weaker compared to recent multi-frame computational approaches (multi-frame stacking, large-sensor, pixel-binning).
• No ultrawide lens  if ultrawide is important to your photography, Note 8 lacks it.
• Video stabilization and HDR processing have improved in later phones; expect less competent performance by comparison.

Real-world sample shot list 

• Daylight wide landscapes (main lens)  show color, dynamic range.
• Portrait subject at 2× (tele lens)  labeled “2× optical  no crop.”
• Indoor, well-lit close-ups show a particular and Bokeh effect.
• Low-light scenes compare Night/HDR mode to auto.
• Selfie sample (front 8MP)  example of skin tones.

Photo captions & EXIF

Whenever possible, show EXIF snippets under sample images (shutter speed, aperture, ISO) to build trust for buyers and reveal limitations.

S Pen features that matter today

The S Pen differentiator

For many Note buyers, the S Pen is the primary reason to choose this platform. On the Note 8 the stylus is a refined, pressure-sensitive tool that supports:

• Screen-off memos  jot notes quickly without unseal the device.
• Air Command  an overlay of pen-based actions (Smart Select, Screen Write).
• Precision handwriting is excellent for annotations, signing PDFs, and sketching.
• Pressure sensitivity  usable for shading and drawing (artist-friendly at a basic level).

Practical tests for buyers

• Check that the S Pen ejects smoothly and seats securely.
• Test pressure sensitivity by drawing lines of differing pressure.
• Replacing S Pen nibs is economical and wear is normal and fixable.
• Confirm that software features (Air Command, Screen-off memo) function; older firmware may not include newer One UI features.
  

Useful S Pen tips

• Keep spare nibs in your kit.
• Use screen protectors that are S Pen friendly (some thick protectors reduce sensitivity).
• For power users, practice competitive that exploit handwriting-to-text conversions and quick note exports to cloud services.

Software, updates & security

Official support life cycle

The Note 8 launched on Android 7.1.1 and shipped with Samsung Experience. Samsung has traditionally provided major OS updates and security reinforcement for a number of years, but the Note 8’s official update window closed years ago in most regions. Official firmware may stop at Android 9 with security update cadence varying by carrier and region.

Practical implications

• Missing modern Android features: Expect no native support for the latest Android UI paradigms and platform-level features present on 20232026 devices.
• Security patches: Security support likely ended; confirm the device’s last security patch date before purchase. If security is crucial, choose a device with recent patches or consider a different, newer phone.
• Custom ROMs: The servicing developer community (LineageOS and others) can extend the usable life by providing newer Android builds. Custom ROMs require technical knowledge, bootloader unlocking, and carry risks: warranty loss, potential instability, and complex setup.

Software checklist for buyers

• Ask for the current Android version and last security patch level.
• Request a factory reset prior to procur to ensure the device is clean.
• Prefer units where the seller has updated to the latest official firmware available for that model and region. 

Pros & Cons

 Pros

• S Pen productivity: Excellent for notes, sketching, and precise input
• Premium Design: Solid glass-and-metal construct that still feels high-end
• Beautiful AMOLED display: 6.3″ Quad HD+ screen with rich colors and deep blacks
• Dual cameras with OIS:Reliable sunlight photos and true 2× optical zoom
• Wireless charging support:Convenient and still useful today
• IP68 water & dust resistance:Extra protection for daily use
• Expandable storage:MicroSD card support up to 256 GB

 Cons 

• Old software support:No new official Android assemble
• Aging battery: Most units need a battery replacement for good performance
• Fingerprint sensor placement: Awkward position near the camera
• No ultrawide camera: Limited compared to modern phones
• Not ideal for heavy gaming:Older chipset grapple with new games
• Screen repairs are expensive:Curved AMOLED panels cost more to fix

FAQs

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is still a phone for some people in 2026. It does not have the software or the best camera, like new phones do.The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 still has what makes the Samsung Galaxy Note series so good: the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has a good S Pen that is very precise. It is made with nice matterand glass and it has a very nice Super AMOLED display that shows lots of colors. For note-takers, stylus lovers, collectors, and budget-conscious power users, the Note 8 can still be a smart purchase if it’s Bought Refurbished or carefully inspected, with a healthy or restored battery.