Help me understand, is the Note 8 a niche device?

[Serkle K]

Serious discussion, because I'm just not understanding...

In almost every review that I've seen online at one point or another before the Note 8 was launched up until and including the unpacked event, somewhere along the line the reviewer mentions that the note series is a niche device. So why is it that people criticize it so hard against other "mainstream devices?"

If the build and design of this particular device only really fills a void for a smaller particular set of users, how is it that it needs to be compared to every other device that gets released just before and immediately after this device?

As a technically first time note user when I get my Note 8, I got this device because it filled so many check marks that I needed to fill. While the S8 S8 Plus iPhone and even my beloved BlackBerry company could fill the same void this one appealed to me more than those and checked off more boxes.

So, help me Understand, and let me know your thoughts.

 

[anon(238680)]

Whether its a niche device depends on where you are at the time. It comes down to the pen. It will cost you money to have the pen so that becomes the niche.

 

[PhabPhan]

I don't understand why everyone keeps saying it is not worth an upgrade from the s8/s8+ either. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is not meant to be an upgrade from those phones. It's an upgrade from the prior note phones! I don't buy the S line phones because I'm a note user.

People who bought the s8/s8+ need to stop complaining that is not worth the upgrade to the note 8.

 

[anon(238680)]

People who bought the s8/s8+ need to stop complaining that is not worth the upgrade to the note 8.

I don't see why. Stating their opinion that's it not worth the upgrade is their right. To some it might be, if they need the pen. Otherwise you gain nothing over the S8+.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is not meant to be an upgrade from those phones. It's an upgrade from the prior note phones!

I totally agree, very good point.

 

[ajb1965]

IMHO it was labeled a niche device because it was originally created with productivity (business) in mind, and it's the only legitimate flagship with a stylus. It was sought after by mainstream users because of the large screen which was unusual at the time, and most everyone that tried it fell in love with it which created a loyal following of both business and casual users as well as a large following of artistic folks.

Most reviewers knock it for the same reasons they knocked all the other notes. It's not an inexpensive phone and for the most part the last few revisions has/had the same basic internal specs as the Galaxy S line. That made it difficult for some to grasp the concept of paying more for a device that had the same processor and ram for the average user. That theory appears to still hold true for the 8. Probably more so now because unlike before, there is barely a discernible difference in screen size between the S8 Plus and the Note 8.

Just my 2 cents

 

[PhabPhan]

I don't see why. Stating their opinion that's it not worth the upgrade is their right. To some it might be, if they need the pen. Otherwise you gain nothing over the S8+.



I totally agree, very good point.

Touche. Let me rephrase: they are welcome to their opinion, but really, do they expect Samsung to come up with 2 brand new phones and designs within the same year?

 

[anon(238680)]

2 brand new phones and designs within the same year?

But, they did

 

[Linda McDonald]

Obviously enough of us thought it was worth an upgrade. The negative people just don't 'get' the pen. These same people didn't 'get' the BIG screen of the original Note. Now every one, Android or IOS, demand a large screen. I remember being laughed at! That makes me laugh!

 

[PhabPhan]

But, they did

You know what I meant. Completely different from each other. The note and s line are always similar with some changes.

 

[Dark Pixels ll]

I don't understand why everyone keeps saying it is not worth an upgrade from the s8/s8+ either. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is not meant to be an upgrade from those phones. It's an upgrade from the prior note phones! I don't buy the S line phones because I'm a note user.

People who bought the s8/s8+ need to stop complaining that is not worth the upgrade to the note 8.

Exactly. The problem is, you're hearing this from tech bloggers who cover 100 phones a year, or phone jumpers who have to have the latest.

For most people the Note 8 is a major leap forward, and that high price tag needs to be put into perspective. For everyday customers, as long as this one doesn't blow up, they'll be keeping this phone 3/4 years, making it a long term investment.

Phone enthusiasts still think they're the center of the world.

 

[anon(238680)]

Phone enthusiasts still think they're the center of the world.

You mean SamSun isn't the center of the solar system?

The note and s line are always similar with some changes.

But from a design and engineering standpoint they are two distinct entities.

 

[j_hansen]

well said dark pixels.
in my opinion the N8 is a lot more than just an S8+ with a pen and I don't get people who say otherwise as it's quite obvious to me

 

[anon(1733)]

well said dark pixels.
in my opinion the N8 is a lot more than just an S8+ with a pen and I don't get people who say otherwise as it's quite obvious to me

Well you have those that genuinely think that. Then there are the others. The others who just complain to justify their own purchase. And the others who just complain to complain. Really a mixture lol.

 

[Cary Quinn]

The orignal note targeted three basic niches

1. People who found a larger screen appealling at time when smaller phones were the trend

2. More "cutting edge" or experimental technology. For many years the Note series was where Samsung would first test some new feature for their phones, if it worked out there it would carry over to the next generation of standard models. They are confident enough now to add features to the S line before testing it out on the Note series, and sometimes learn valuable lessons from both design paths that improve their phone lineup overall.

3. Handwriters: There are not many people who still prefer or utilize their handwriting skills in a world where you can select between a dozen different virtual keyboards or entry methods on a modern phone. But for those few, the Note series filled a great need for an alternative form of input and usuability, which was all Samsung needed to sustain the line until the factors driving points 1 and 2 made it one of the must see phones to at least be aware of each year; and something that could directly compete with Apple in a way that they did not seem interested in competing against.

Those three points above are a lot less "niche" now, but overall it outlines why Samsung is successful with this idea. Most people don't "need" the Note 8, but a whole lot of people look at the feature set that it offers above the S8 line and "want" it nonetheless.

 

[Ry]

It might be the best-selling niche device.

 

[eyedoc2020]

I don't understand why everyone keeps saying it is not worth an upgrade from the s8/s8+ either. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is not meant to be an upgrade from those phones. It's an upgrade from the prior note phones! I don't buy the S line phones because I'm a note user.

People who bought the s8/s8+ need to stop complaining that is not worth the upgrade to the note 8.

They call it an upgrade because minus the S-pen and minus the dual camera it is basically exactly like the S8+. You can get an unlocked S8+ on Amazon right now for $674. If you want the dual camera and S-pen then it will be $930.

 

[Carrie Greicar]

what I don't get is the people who bother to post on the note 8 forums when they are clearly looking for another phone. like ok you aren't impressed but why are you in this forum then?

 

[Kilroy672]

what I don't get is the people who bother to post on the note 8 forums when they are clearly looking for another phone. like ok you aren't impressed but why are you in this forum then?

I agree with you. Just another thing to bi*** about. If you don't plan on buying one or don't intent on buying one go to another phone page.

 

[njdan30]

Some people gotta have the newest phone just for the look at me factor, some just like the notes and when the note 7 deal happened some went to s7 so etc .me the pen and camera are cool but not cool enough for me to dump my s8 plus but my wife on the other hand is a die hard note lover and hates her s7 edge she uses her notes for work and convenience with s pen and apps with it. To each their own I guess

 

[Kilroy672]

After the N7 fiasco I went through about 3 other phones and now I'm stuck with the iPhone 7plus. Which in its self a nice phone. But I really miss the Note phones and features. I skipped out on the S8 series and now I may go back to Note again. I'm eligible for my jump any time. But I'm going to wait it out and give it a month and see how it pans out. Get all the bugs worked out. Oct is my anniversary month may wait and get it then.