I can see Samsung dropping the "Note" name, but keeping a note device. I wouldn't mind them calling the next one "Pro" so we would have the S8 (5.1"), S8 Edge (5.5") and S8 Pro (5.7" with stylus).
Funny I see all this media talk, but on forums no one is giving up their Note 7. I've had 4 Note 7's pass through my house (I've had originally black, returned for silver, and now a replacement silver, and my wife had one) and none have had issues. There's no other phone that compares and mine is here to stay. Samsung is taking an unfair beating. They've done a stand-up job in my opinion. Plus, they've given away stuff this year like crazy (gear vr, fit watch, as card). When's the last time Apple gave away a free accessory to buyers? Yet the fanboys keep kissing their butts.
I think that 1 year is plenty for the buying public to forget the N7 disaster. I see pros and cons with your suggestion. I personally really like your idea but the downside I think is that it is an obvious attempt to rename and disassociate from the Note 7. I think many people will see through the name and realise it's another Note with a different name.
If Samsung did that, then I think it's a BIG mistake to call it a "Pro 8". If you call it a Pro device, then it has to be just "Pro", indicating the first iteration of a truly new line of product. Then to justify renaming it, you have to do something different that the Note serious didn't do. Introduce some new features to truly justify the new badge. Otherwise as I say, people will just roll their eyes and see through it. And differentiate the new serious from the S series, so that it does not suffer the criticisms that it's just a bigger S phone with an S pen.
Let's say you introduce the first Pro series and you give it something exclusive like in the Pixel phone, such as unlimited cloud storage for photos/videos, on-screen customer support etc. Something the S series doesn't have. And it has to be something the S series will not eventually get, for e.g., iris scanner.
But I really like the idea of a Pro series. I think that's a great idea.
And this is why carrier-specific phones need to go. Verizon and their CDMA BS...
I'm the opposite and had a Rage to quit Apple in the mobile device department anyway. iPhone 7 is still a dinosaur phone and they release phones every year without any major updates. I'm disappointed in sort of being "forced to get a smaller phone". I sold my Apple watch and purchased the Gear S2 Classic 3G just for the Note 7.
Samsung is an awesome device and im trying to have the attitude that things happen and at least they are handling it as they should business wise.
I have had Apple Watch and still have a MacBook Pro, MacBook air, iPad Mini 3 and the iPad Pro 9.7. I had the iPhone 6S Plus and would have stayed with it had I not fallen in love with the Note 7.
I know its your choice, but don't do it. Samsung to Apple is taking a step back to me. Don't get me wrong I'm pissed. As a gadget girl I simply love the N7, but the iPhone 7/7 Plus can't hold a candle to any Samsung device.
Good luck in your choice.