Samsung Galaxy Note 8 release date, specs rumors: Samsung to launch new Galaxy Note in second half of 2017?

Amee Florence Payno Sunday, January 08, 2017

An exchanged Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 7 is seen at company's headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, October 13, 2016. | Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji

Despite rumors suggesting that Samsung might be completely abandoning the Galaxy Note brand, it looks like the tech giant has every intention of continuing the product line and redeem itself.

It can be recalled that the current Galaxy Note 7 was an extremely popular handset gadget until reports about the phone overheating and even "exploding" surfaced and spread like wildfire. This issue inevitably brought drastic effects to the company's reputation, which consequently led to the loss of some of their loyal followers' patronage.

As reported by Business Korea, Samsung will be continuing with the development and launch of the Galaxy Note 8, considering the growing market for phablets. An official from the electronic industry reportedly said: "The Galaxy Note 7 was very popular before user reports began circulating about devices that exploded or caught on fire while charging. As the phablet market, which was developed by Samsung Electronics, has been growing, the company will release the Note series this year again."

As to the possible features of the upcoming gadget, the Inquisitr reports that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be featuring the company's artificial intelligence assistant, currently named "Bixby." The gadget is also expected to have an ultra-definition virtual reality (VR) feature and a much-improved stylus.

Samsung will also reportedly introduce 2K resolution displays in the Galaxy S8, while it will use 4k resolution displays in the Galaxy Note 8 in order to fully maximize the device's VR functions. The phablet is also rumored to be capable of connecting with a new VR headset.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is reportedly slated to be launched sometime in the second half of 2017, and it will follow the release of the Galaxy S8 handset. Reports suggest that the S8 flagship handset, as well as the S8 Edge, will be unveiled around April, but there are also other rumors which mention a possible launch in February.