This is by far the best phone I've ever had, I'm going to hate parting ways with and am reluctant to do so. Note 8 is really going to have to bring it for me to switch and start paying for yet another phone for the next two years. What do you guys think?
I think the first thing you should think of, is that the Note 8 probably won't be released for another half year. That gives you a while to still enjoy your Note 5. Who knows, maybe it gets released even later so that Samsung makes sure they don't have another Note 7 debacle. This year's Galaxy S series would've been released at MWC, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Also you have to think Samsung is going to step up their game to make up for what happened with last year's Note. That would def include at the very least Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 processor if not an even newer iteration. There could be an even bigger screen and/or less room for bezels (who know's, maybe no bezels?). Dual rear cameras you would think might make their appearance if Samsung wants to keep up w/ Apple. There also could be other improvements or innovations I haven't thought of?
I'm not saying all those things will happen, but to me they would seem logical if I were in Samsung's shoes. In general, significant improvements would seem logical to make up for a tough 2016. There are a lot of fans of the Note series that the company will have to get back in their good graces.
So, enjoy your Note 5 while you have it because it'll be a little bit till the Note 8 comes out & I think it would be a big disappointment if Samsung fails to keep up with the rest of the back and also doesn't make some major improvements.