Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Amazing performance, Impressive camera

Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm 

Screen size: 6.3-inch

Resolution: 1440 x 2630 

OS: Android 7.1.1 

CPU: Exynos 8895

RAM: 6GB

Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB

Battery:3,300mAh

Rear camera: Dual 12MP

Front camera: 8MP

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 was the first time the brand's phablet range was seen as a real rival for the Galaxy S phones - the larger screen and more power starting to resonate with the average phone buyer. The S Pen is the real point of differentiation, and it's cool to always have a notepad with you.

Screen:  The Note 8 maximises Samsung’s dual curved edge and nearly bezel-less Infinity Display to the point where this phone feels like a mini tablet from the future. It's more squared off than the Galaxy S phones, but still lovely to look at. 

Camera: The camera on the Note 8 is superb and near the front of the pack for all round quality. On the rear its dual lenses allow for optical zoom as well as digital zoom, as well as live focus which enables you to do all kinds of effects including blurring the background - even after you've taken the shot.

Battery life: The battery in the Note 8 isn't quite best in class - you can thank the large screen and slender design for that. But it'll still last you all day unless you're streaming a lot of video or using it with the brightness pumped up.

Mini verdict: It's an expensive phone – only just behind the iPhone X in terms of out-and-out cost. But it's a better choice than the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus – its competitor in terms of overall size and quality – if you want to be able to jot things down in an instant and take beautiful bokeh photos, as well as splash the phone in water.