Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8: Everything you need to know

Samsung has two big phones slated to debut in 2017: the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy Note 8. Both flagship devices are favorites of Android users and are rumored to come with new features to give competing devices a run for their money.

Whether the South Korean company would debut the Note 8 had been unclear in light of battery problems that led to the Note 7's discontinuance. But on Jan. 23, Samsung mobile chief D.J. Koh confirmed the company would release a new Note. 

"I will bring back a better, safer and very innovative Note 8," Koh said in an interview with CNET.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8: Release date

The Galaxy S8 will be unveiled March 29 in New York City, reports VentureBeat, and the device will go on sale April 21. While Samsung usually announces the new Galaxy S device at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Wall Street Journal reports Samsung is delaying the release due to the Note 7 fiasco. 

As for the Note 8, the device is typically revealed in the fall. But should its launch follow the steps of the S8, it could be delayed further.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8: Models & prices

The S8 comes in two sizes, a 5.8-inch model and a 6.2-inch model — code-named Dream and Dream 2, respectively. Samsung has not officially announced prices, but Twitter user @Ricciolo1 claims a "little bird" leaked that the device will start at $849, reports BGR. This falls in line with the VentureBeat report that both smartphones will cost €100 ($107) more than the Galaxy S7s in Europe, putting the 5.8-inch model at €799 ($855) and the 6.2-inch model at €899 ($962).

If Samsung follows the Note 7 pattern, there will be one model of the phablet. There is no official or rumored news on how much the Note 8 will cost. That said, one could argue both possibilities: On one hand, the S8 is getting a price hike; on the other, Samsung may opt to keep the Note 8 price the same in an effort to win back Note 7 customers.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8: Iris scanner

A key feature in the discontinued Note 7 was the iris scanner, which allowed users a secure way to unlock their devices. Note 7 problems were related to the device's battery, so there's no reason to believe the Note 8 will not offer the iris scanner. The S8 is reportedly going to utilize the same iris-scanning biometric technology as well.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8: S Pen stylus

Like the Note 7, at least one of the two S8 sizes is likely to support the S Pen stylus, GSM Arena reports. While it was initially reported the S8 would have a "built-in stylus," according to BGR, it now appears to be an optional accessory. And since the Note 7 featured the stylus, it's safe to assume the Note 8 will, too. 

The S Pen stylus is water- and dust-resistant and offers features like translation services and animated image creation, CNET reported in August 2016. 

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S8: Other features

The S8 may include a dedicated button for its virtual assistant, 6GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage and QHD Super AMOLED screens, which will make up 83% of the device's front panel. While it was initially reported the S8 would be missing a headphone jack, a more recent report from the Guardian says the smartphone will come with a "traditional 3.5mm headphone socket." The S8 will definitely feature an artificial intelligence digital assistant service, according to a Reuters report.