Cameras are a window to the smartphone's future

It's too soon to write off our smartphones as boring.The gadgets are still evolving with new technologies. And for a clue as to what the smartphone of the future might look like, turn your attention to the device's cameras and the software and sensors that make them tick.

Here's a peek into how the camera may come into play: As soon as you pick up your gadget, it will see you and know you are the owner and unlock the screen. Overseas, you will be able to point the camera at a restaurant menu to translate items into your native language.

When shopping for furniture, you can point your phone camera at your living room floor and place a virtual rendering of a coffee table down to see how it looks and move around and peek undern eath it.

Some of this futurism is already starting to happen.

Next month, Apple plans to hold a special event to introduce a set of new iPhones, including a premium model that can scan 3D objects -including your face. Samsung also recently introduced the Galaxy Note 8, highlighting its fast dual-lens camera.

"2018 will be the year where the smartphone camera takes a quantum leap in technology," said PhilipJames Jacobowitz, a product manager for chip maker Qualcomm.

Here's a rundown on what this all means for how your next smartphone will work.

FACE SCANNING

For the past few years, we have become accustomed to unlocking our smartphones by scanning our fingerprints or entering a passcode. But when Apple shows its new iPhones next month, including a premium model, the company will introduce infrared facial recognition as a new method for unlocking the device.

Qualcomm's Spectra, a so-called depth-sensing camera system, is one example of how face scanning works .

The Spectra system includes a module that sprays an object with infrared dots to gather information about the depth of an object based on the size and the contortion of the dots. If the dots are smaller, then the object is farther away; if they are bigger, the object is closer. The imaging system can then stitch the patterns into a detailed 3D image of your face to determine if you are indeed the owner of your smartphone before unlocking it.

AUGMENTED REALITY

Depth-sensing cameras may be crucial to enhancing augmented reality. Next month, Apple will release iOS 11, its next mobile OS that includes support for apps made with ARKit, a tool kit for app developers to easily create AR apps. All the tech giants are betting big on augmented reality. For years, Microsoft has been developing HoloLens, an augmentedreality headset. In April, Facebook announced Camera Effects Platform, an environment for software developers to build AR apps for Facebook.This week, Google unv eiled ARCore, an augmented-reality tool kit for Android devices, in response to Apple's ARKit.

Source: Cameras are a window to the smartphone's future

Moto G5S Plus First Look: Dual cameras on a mid-segment Moto smartphone

Motorola has announced the Moto G5S and Moto G5S Plus in India. The smartphone will be available exclusively on Amazon India at Rs 15,999 and will offer 4GB RAM with 64GB internal storage.

It hasn't even been 6 months that the Moto G5 Plus hit store shelves and today we have with us its successor – the Moto G5S Plus. If you look at the specifications of the two devices, they are identical except for the display size and the front and rear cameras. The display has been upgraded from a 5.2-inch 1080p display to a 5.5-inch 1080p display. The front camera has also been upgraded from a 5MP camera (without flash) to an 8MP camera, which is accompanied by a flash. The rear camera has received the biggest upgrade – going from a single 12MP camera to a dual-13MP setup. The Moto G5S Plus has become slightly heavier too. At the bottom, we have the mono speaker grill accompanied with the microUSB port and on the top, we have the headphones jack. The moto g5sWhere to buy 13999 15999 Plus is a dual-SIM phone, but the second SIM slot is a hybrid slot. So, you will have to choose between expandable storage or a second SIM. 

Moving to the build and design, the smartphone has an all metal design and the review unit we received was lunar grey in colour. It has a matte finish and looks quite elegant. It has a 5.5-inch display as compared to the Moto G5 Plus' 5.2-inch display, but the device has gained a mere 3.2mm in height, which means that the screen to body ratio has increased. The dual rear cameras have a bump and this may be an inconvenience and cause scratches. We have seen smartphones fit dual rear cameras flush with the body and that just adds to the overall ergonomics to the device. For its price, the moto g5s plusWhere to buy 15999 feels extremely well built, but we are reserving our final judgement for when we complete our review. 

In terms of software, The moto g5s plusWhere to buy 15999 runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box and the software is pretty close to stock. It has the Moto app, giving you access to Moto Actions and Moto Display – something we've seen on the Moto G5 and G5 Plus too. The review unit we received has 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and it runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 platform, same as its predecessor. The device is priced at Rs 15,999 and we will comment on the performance of the smartphone, its battery and the camera when we put it through its paces. The Moto G5S Plus can be purchased from Amazon India starting midnight tonight.  

The pricing of the Moto G5 family of phones is as follows. Moto G5 has a new price of Rs 11,999, the Moto G5S with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage is priced at Rs 13,999, the Moto G5 Plus with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage is priced at Rs 14,999 and the Moto G5S Plus with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage is priced ar Rs 15,999. 

The moto g5s plusWhere to buy 15999 has some launch offers for you to check out. You get Rs 1,000 off on exchange of your old Moto phone, no cost EMI available on all credit cards, Moto sports headphones will be available at Rs 499 instead of Rs 1599, get 80% off (up to Rs 300) on Amazon Kindle app and Jio users get additional 50GB data. Buy Moto G5S at Rs 13999 from amazon.

The right of the moto g5s plusWhere to buy 15999 has the power button and the volume rocker

The bottom of the device has the mono speaker and microUSB port along with a mic

The moto g5s plusWhere to buy 15999 has a 5.5-inch 1080p display

It is running on ANdroid 7.1 Out-of-the-box

The g5s plusWhere to buy 15999 has a fingerprint sensor below the display

The dual rear camera setup is a bump and doesnt sit flush at the back

The device has an all metal design giving it a sturdy premium look

Sameer Mitha  sameer.mitha@digit.in

Sameer Mitha lives for gaming and technology is his muse. When he isn't busy playing with gadgets or video games he delves into the world of fantasy novels.

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Source: Moto G5S Plus First Look: Dual cameras on a mid-segment Moto smartphone

Why I prefer a real camera to a smartphone, and why you should as well.

Why I prefer a real camera to a smartphone, and why you should as well.

By Steve Huff

For the last 2-3 years I have seen more people shooting photos with Smart Phones than ANY other type of camera. For a while, I was OK with it. I mean, the phones can put out a nice image, even using the iPhones fake bokeh mode…oh, wait, "Portrait" mode. Phones are now owned by almost everyone, even small kids. I just saw a 6-year-old wielding an iPhone the other day, using it like a pro. I was like "WHAT?!?!?". Yep, the kids today are starting early and do you realize what that means?

Well, in photo terms, it means that these kids, as they grow and get older will probably not even know what a real camera is (of course many will but many will not). Many will grow up thinking it has always been like this. A mobile device that does it all..calls, texts, internet browsing, apps and games, and yes, taking photos. Cameras in the future may very well consist of only smart devices and the way tech is going, I am sure these sensors will get better, even bigger, and with lenses added via accessories, most will think they have the best camera ever created. Now yes, this is many years in the future… like if you have a one year old now, and never introduced them to a real camera, they would never know what a real camera was by the time they get older. Cameras in 20-30 years may be things of memories for us older folk (in the future), as I can not see them sustaining mass sales for 20-30 more years.

With that said, camera sales today in 2017 are stabilizing and after a 5 year drop in sales, they MAY be leveling off. Five years ago it peaked, and man, so many were buying up cameras like mad. New model after new model…because that was the era of mass and rapid improvement. Tech was evolving, and today it has peaked. As I have mentioned before, all cameras today are wonderful and while phone cameras can deliver good results and a certain very wide DOF look, for me, a phone could never and will never even come close to a real camera. A camera you can hold, control, compose through and even learn to master.

For me, there is no substitute for a real camera. Here, a Sony RX1R shot. 

–

Another from the incredible, even today, RX1R MK1

I have reviewed, used, tested and fired off almost every 35mm and mirrorless camera made over the last several years. Even quite a few DSLR's even though this website has been focused on mirrorless for so long. I love them all in many ways, and if all of my personal cameras were taken away or had to be sold due to some sort of catastrophe I would be sad. A smartphone, while highly capable of taking a shot, just does not give you the same feeling, the same satisfaction or joy as a real solid camera with dials, buttons and control.

When you take a shot with a real camera and nail it, you feel like you accomplished something. It's an amazing part of why so many love this hobby or even profession. It's a craft, a way of life for many.

But when I see 90% of those out there shooting using phones, it feels like something has been taken away from photography. I will say it again, YES, there are amazing works done with phones and processing techniques but what I am talking about is the feeling one gets from using a real camera as well as the versatility a real camera offers you.

The Leica M 240 and 50 Voigtlander Nokton 1.5

–

The Leica Monochrom and 35 1.4 Summilux

For example, and this is just one example…using something like a Leica M brings so much pleasure to so many who use them. It's an entirely different way of shooting than from a DSLR or something like a Sony of Fuji. Even using a little Fuji X100 series can be liberating, fun and so enjoyable. Todays younger generation may never know these pleasures or the excitement of heading out to the streets to shoot with a real camera.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that EVERYONE today only shoots with a phone. There ARE some young folks today shooting with real digital cameras, specifically the starter Canon DSLR's which are great bang for the buck models. But as a whole, the world has gone to smartphones for a few reasons. One is that it is always with them. While we may slag and leave our cameras behind sometimes, we never ever leave our phones behind, right?

The size that is slim, and just slips in to your front pocket makes the smartphone so convenient.

The ease of use means no one has to learn photography, no one needs to learn even the basics, about aperture or ISO. They just aim and shoot.

Leica SL and 50 Zeiss Sonnar

Ease of sharing. Today's world is super focused on social media, selfies and sharing their photos to Instagram. The smartphone makes it easy with a few clicks.

The quality, while no were near what something like a Fuji, Olympus, Sony or Leica will give you (or any DSLR for that matter) is "good enough" for the ones who enjoy using their phones, and for many this is 100% true. They are good enough. But some ofuI can't tell you how many times people have come up to me when I have been out with a real camera, asking me either "what is that" (in the case of a Leica M) or "you still shoot old cameras", even when carrying something like a Sony A9. Mostly young adults, teenagers, etc. Curious about why I would carry around a large device to snap photos. They often go on to tell me how amazing the quality of their iPhone or whatever phone is (because they never experienced a "real camera".)

All is good, whatever makes them happy but I wish everyone who had an interest for photography would at least try out a nice camera once, to see that there is much more to photography than using a phone. It's not about the gear, that's not what I mean..it is about the feeling, the joy, the pride of ownership..which in turn, motivates you to get out and use it. For me, the phone doesn't do that.

1st Shot Sony RX1R and the 2nd, Leica Monochrom 

If you want a shot like either of the above, with a phone, it is almost impossible if not impossible to create a REAL shallow DOF. Fake DOF and Bokeh do not count, and while they may look pleasing, they also look fake. So I hope that in 20-30 years we will still have cameras being made. With real lenses to choose from, with real buttons to push and dials to turn and with character like only certain lenses can give.

The Canon 50 0.95 "Dream Lens" on the Leica M. Can't do this with your phone folks!

–

A Monochrom image with the Sony RX1R

As for me, I will grow old using a real camera, I will die owning a real camera and probably that is because that is the way I grew up. I wonder if I were just born today…I wonder what I would use when I turned 13 or 14 for my photos. Would it be a smartphone or some other tech just waiting around the corner? Will camera still be made in 16 years, 20 years? Only time will tell but I will keep pushing the virtues and benefits of real cameras because for me, there is no substitute.

1st Image from the Sony RX1R and the 2nd from the Olympus EM5

What do you think about the phone vs camera debate?

Leave a comment below!

Source: Why I prefer a real camera to a smartphone, and why you should as well.

Lake Central updates phones, cameras at many schools

ST. JOHN — Phone systems that were at least 15 years old and security cameras that no one really knew how old they were are no longer a concern for the Lake Central Schools.

Technology Director Rick Moreno told the school board the phones in five of the schools — Bibich, Kolling, Peifer and Watson elementaries and Grimmer Middle School — were so outdated, the company that installed them said it could no longer find parts for them.

Moreno said there was a danger that, if the system went down, the schools might be without phone service for a couple of days. To prevent that, Northwest Communications, of Merrillville, installed new phone systems in all the schools over about a two-day period in June. The company was able to do the same for Homan Elementary over Christmas break.

The phones now are on the same system at all the schools and can dial between buildings using an extension number instead of calling the schools' main office. They also are equipped so voicemail automatically goes to the person's email. Total cost of the upgrade was $131,344.

Security cameras at the three middle schools — Grimmer, Kahler and Clark — also were replaced. Moreno said the cameras at Kahler were originally taken from the high school, and no one remembers how far back they had been in use. The resolution on all of them was so bad that faces of people were blurred beyond recognition.

Moreno said a recent federal inspection also pointed out that the one-week recording capacity of the cameras was woefully inadequate and at least 30 days should be available. The schools were provided all new equipment with up to 60 days of recording capacity by Crown Point-based Video Surveillance Systems.

It took the company about a week to install the cameras at each school, at a total cost of $89,165.

Superintendent Larry Veracco told the board a change in the way graduation rates are calculated could cause a drastic drop in the reported rate statewide that could have a negative impact on the state's ability to attract businesses.

Veracco shared a letter to U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks, R-Ind., from state Public Instruction Superintendent Jennifer McCormick asking for help in changing the U.S. Department of Education mandate that general education diplomas no longer be included in the graduation rate calculations. McCormick said 8,000 Indiana students receive GEDs each year, and not counting them would drop the state's graduation rate from 89 percent to 76.5 percent.

Veracco said Lake Central's rate would drop 6.8 percent. He said the change is troubling because many students in technical education programs don't take the third year of math, which would not make them eligible for inclusion in the rate, and students with "learning differences" also receive the general diploma. The change also could mean a great many more schools would receive D and F grades for their overall performance.

Source: Lake Central updates phones, cameras at many schools

Extend your smartphone camera's capabilities for $10

Shooting better photos is often a matter of technique, but sometimes the tiny integrated optics on your device just won't cut it. This 3-in-1 lens attachment can provide that camera some added versatility.

This lens accessory gives your phone an easily detachable mounting bracket for its collection of lenses. It uses a simple clip mechanism, so it works with almost any smartphone on the market without needing a specialized case or hardware. Squeeze tons of extra detail out of closeup shots with the included macro lens, or capture a more expansive field of view with wide-angle and fisheye glass lenses.

With this 3-in-1 Lens Clip, you can get even closer to DSLR quality photos using only what's in your pocket. Grab one from the Boing Boing Store for $9.99.

Looking for a tiny PC that still has space for a gaming-quality video card? SFF PC Cases is a remarkably detailed spreadsheet listing dozens of models, complete with cost, dimensions, volume and even important build tips. The very smallest are not practical for powerful builds, but the critical "Maximum GPU length" field is right there […]

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Enjoy Michael Mullany's review of the Gartner Hype Cycle, with all the things tech predictors got right and all the things they got wrong: "we're terrible at making predictions." Lesson 6: Some technologies keep receding into the future There are some notable technologies that recur on the Hype Cycle and every time they appear they […]

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Why we secretly love our cords. Tamara Warren: There's a certain security in the cord. It's the idea of connection, perhaps even dating back to our days in the womb. … A battery, no matter how sophisticated, is fleeting. When we have our cords with us, we are in constant pursuit of power, even when […]

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For the uninitiated, dinoflagellates are the single-celled organisms behind the eerie algal bloom known as red tide. But some of these tiny marine creatures are capable of producing a beautiful bioluminescent glow, and you can harness their natural light with a Dino Pet, available now in the Boing Boing Store.This dinoflagellate-filled aquarium is shaped like […]

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Source: Extend your smartphone camera's capabilities for $10

Shiny Galaxy Note 8 gets dual cameras, but plays it safe

Updated with more details on Samsung's trade-in program for Galaxy Note 7 owners.

There's a lot riding on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8's glossy, curved shoulders, two rear cameras and digital S Pen stylus.

The Galaxy Note 8 has to wash away the bad taste of last year's battery-burning Note 7 double-recall. It has to outshoot every other phone with a set of dual cameras that's already out there. And finally, Samsung's highest-end phone needs to outshine the LG V30, Google Pixel 2 and iPhone 8, while also convincing buyers to choose it over the cheaper Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus.

See what I mean? Tough work.

From what I've seen of the Note 8 so far, it stands a fighting chance at doing all three. The phone itself satisfies all the requirements of today's modern, high-powered handset, with its bright, 6.3-inch screen, twin rear cameras with portrait mode, a top-of-the-line-process or, wireless charging and water resistance. There's also external storage and its S Pen stylus has a handful of new tricks you can use to write, draw and navigate the screen. And did I mention the headset jack? There's one of those, too. (Nudge, nudge, iPhone 7.)

As the first new, (hopefully) safe Note since the Note 5 in 2015 -- remember, Samsung skipped the Note 6 name in favor of the Note 7 -- you'd expect the Note 8 to go big, silencing the naysayers and rewarding the fans. After all, Note buyers are the Samsung's biggest mobile cheerleaders, "the most energetic, engaged, loyal consumers," according to Justin Denison, a senior VP of product marketing and strategy at Samsung.

Instead of splashing out, though, Samsung played it safe. The Note 8's battery is smaller than 2016's model, in part to keep from repeating last year's fatal mistake.

There are also a lot of carry-overs from the Galaxy Note 7 and Galaxy S8 that keep the Note 8 from feeling truly fresh. F or example, the S Pen stylus only adds a few more tricks, none of which will set off industry shockwaves. (They're still fun, though. More on that below.) And then there's the awkward placement of that fingerprint sensor. Sorry, rumor junkies, it hasn't moved under the screen after all. Why Samsung chose to replicate the worst design shortfall of its earlier phone is beyond me; the Note 8 is a large phone that'll have you stretching for the sensor. Or else you'll give up and use a different way to unlock the phone and green-light Samsung Pay. 

The twin rear cameras are the only major feature that's truly new, and they're a first for any Samsung phone. But dual cameras are now so common in high-end handsets that they've quickly become the norm. Samsung's implementation, however, is really promising, and it takes Apple's Portrait Mode to the next level. That's tentatively a notch in Samsung's belt. (And again, much more on this below.)

I can't wait to fully test the Galaxy Note 8's new twin cameras, battery life and hidden tricks. At first glance, it's an attractive, fully featured device for power users who are looking for the ultimate in handheld computing. In a lot of ways, the Note 8 is the Galaxy Note 7 we should have had, but with a modern camera experience that promises something extra.

The S Pen stylus is a drawing machine.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

There's just one final sticking point, and that's price. The Note series is typically Samsung's costliest phone, an expense that Samsung justifies with the most cutting-edge features and a heap of stylus tricks. This could work in Samsung's favor if the iPhone 8, Google Pixel 2 and LG V30 also cost a bundle. Or, the relatively high price could backfire if more buyers go for the Galaxy S8 Plus instead. Sure, the S8 Plus has only one rear camera and no stylus, but it's otherwise about the same, for a little less cash.

Read on for a breakdown of the Galaxy Note 8's specs, and photo-taking capabilities and S Pen features. For a full comparison with today's top phones, skip to the end. 

And remember, our final verdict on whether the Note 8 is worth the price will come after we've received a review unit and had a chance to fully test the phone. 

Note 8 price and when to buy

Absolutely excellent news for original Note 7 owners: Samsung will grant a discount on the Note 8 as an apology for the hassle of having returned your last phone. The big catch? This is currently for US customers only. It's a good start, and one we hope Samsung will extend to other affected buyers worldwide.

Note 7 owners who go to Samsung.com will receive an instant trade-in value of up to $425 (about £330 or $AU540) when you upgrade your current phone for a Galaxy Note 8. It's gratifying to see Samsung make good with 2016's endangered, inconvenienced buyers. Moreover, it's the final step Samsung needed to take to finally put the Note 7 disaster to rest.

Preorders start Aug. 24, and the phone goes on sale Sept. 15 in the US, UK, South Korea and other select countries. It'll roll out globally through October.

You'll be able to buy the phone through carriers, Samsung.com and other retailers. Samsung is also doing something different and immediately selling the Galaxy Note 8 unlocked rather than waiting we eks or months to offer an unlocked option.

In Australia, it costs AU$1,499. Preorders start 25 August from selected retailers.

Is the Note 8 battery safe?

If you were burned by the Galaxy Note 7 flame-out, you might be a little gunshy about the Note 8.

Here's what Samsung's done to help cool your fears:

Instituted an 8-point battery safety check

Reduced battery size and capacity from 3,500mAh to 3,300mAh to leave more room in the phone's cavity

Partnered with UL, a certification company, to endorse the Note 8

Of course, we won't know for certain if any phone battery is faulty until users' reports come in. For the record, there have not been similar widespread reports of problems with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus batteries. However, if you're wary, it doesn't hurt to watch and wait.

Upping the dual-camera ante

Samsung's first two-camera setup places a 12-megapixel telephoto lens alongside a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens (there's also an 8-megapixel camera up front). Both cameras use optical image stabilization (OIS) to help keep images and video looking smooth.

Those two cameras on the back aren't just for show.

Josh Miller/CNET

Portrait mode is the major use case here. This applies a softly blurred background around the subject (which itself is in focus), like an aura of mystique that makes the person or thing pop out.

Samsung calls it Live Focus, and it lets you do more than you can on other phones with similar modes, including the iPhone 7 Plus ($1,269.00 at Apple), which popularized the feature.

You can adjust the amount of blur on a sliding scale of 0-10 before you take the shot

It lets you use both lenses to take and save two pictures in the gallery. One photo is the blurry portrait (this is also called bokeh effect), and one that's a wider-angle image that keeps the background in focus, and more of it in the frame. The iPhone 7 Plus does something similar, except its second non-bokeh image saves at the same aspect ratio as the bokeh one.

It's called Dual Capture, and although it's automatic, you can turn it off in the se ttings.

You can also remove or alter the blur effect from the gallery after you take a picture.

You can pop between the portrait and full photo.

Other camera details for shutterbugs: 2x optical zoom, up to 10x digital zoom, F2.4 telephoto lens, F1.7 wide-angle lens with dual-pixel auto-focus.

Galaxy Note 8's best new features

You won't see these on the Galaxy S8, or any other phone for that matter.

Live Message

This creates an animated GIF of a handwritten note, which is written back in real time. You can add photo backgrounds to create your own personal meme. What stands out here is that you can share these on any app that supports animated GIFs, so Facebook Messenger, for example, or WhatsApp.

On the Note 8, you can create a Live Message from the Air Command navigation wheel (which you see when you pull the S Pen from its holster) and from the keyboard, if you hold down the custom key and find the Live Message option.

Write on the lock screen

Screen-off Memo was introduced on the Note 7. It lets you scribble on the screen without having to unlock the phone, and it's pretty great. You can pin a note to the always-on display, and now you can save it and pin again to lengthen the list and create up to 100 pages. You can still transcribe pages if you save them to your Notes app.

Next-level split-screen multitasking

If you find yourself constantly using the same two apps in split screen mode, the Note 8 gives you an option to link them together and open them both with a tap. Say, for example, YouTube and your internet browser, or Google Maps and music.

It's called App Pair. You start by pulling out the tab on the edge of the screen, and swipe to get to the app shortcuts. Samsung says it will start you off with one or two pairings, but you can also link your own apps in settings. Then when you're ready to use them, a tap on the app pair icon loads them both in split screen mode.

Full-sentence transl ation and currency conversion

You used to have to translate in foreign languages a word at a time -- say by selecting words on a foreign-language website with the S Pen. But now you can click an entire sentence and translate it all at once. The expanded feature works for over 70 languages and uses Google Translate. The tool also converts currency.

What else?

6.3-inch AMOLED screen with 2,960x1,440-pixel resolution

Slim bezels, curved sides, aluminum and glass build

Bixby button lives on the phone's left side, with Bixby Voice software ready at launch -- it was delayed on the Galaxy S8, but it's now available in select regions

The fingerprint reader is on the phone's back to the far side of the dual-camera array. This is a tall phone, so you might fumble and stretch for it

The S Pen tip is 0.7 mm, same as on the Note 7, and it's still got 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity

Both the phone and S Pen are water-resistant (IP68)

C olors: Deepsea blue, maple gold, midnight black, orchid gray (not all colors are available in all regions)

See full Note 8 specs below.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus Apple iPhone 7 Plus OnePlus 5 Display size, resolution 6.3-inch; 2,960x1,440 pixels 6.2-inch; 2960x1440 pixels 5.5-inch; 1,920x1,080 pixels 5.5-inch; 1,920x1,080 pixels Pixel density 522ppi 529ppi 401ppi 401ppi Dimensions (Inches) 6.4x2.9x0.34 in 6.3x2.9x0.32 in 6.2x 3.1x0.29 in 6.1x2.92x0.29 in Dimensions (Millimeters) 162.5x74.8x8.6 mm 159.5x73.4x8.1 mm 158.2x77.9x7.3 mm 154.2x74.1x7.3 mm Weight (Ounces, Grams) 6.9 oz, 195g 6.1 oz; 173g 6.63 oz; 188g 5.4 oz; 153g Mobile software Android 7.1.1 Nougat Android 7.0 Nougat Apple iOS 10 Android 7.1.1 Nougat Camera Dual 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixel (telephoto), 12-megapixel (wide) 16-megapixel standard, 20-megapixel telephoto Front-facing camera 8-megapixel 8-megapixel 7-megapixel 16-megapixel Video capture 4K 4K 4K 4K Processor Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (2.35GHz+1.9GHz) or octa-core Samsung Exynos 8895 (2.35GHz+1.7GHz) Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (2.35GHz+1.9GHz) or octa-core Samsung Exynos 8895 (2.35GHz+1.7GHz) Apple A10 chip (64-bit) 2.45GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Storage 64GB 64GB 32GB, 128GB, 256GB 64GB, 128GB RAM 6GB 4GB N/A 6GB, 8GB Expandable storage Up to 2TB Up to 2TB None None Battery 3,300mAh 3,500mAh 21 hours talk time on 3G, 16 days standby, 13 hours internet use LTE 3,300mAh Fingerprint sensor Back cover Back cover Home button Home button Connector USB-C USB-C Lightning USB-C Special features S Pen stylus, water-resistant, wireless charging Water-resistant (IP68), wireless charging, Gigabit LTE-ready Water and dust-resistant; portrait image mode Portrait mode, notifications toggle, dual-SIM, Dash Charging Price off-contract (USD) AT&T: $950; Verizon: $960; T-Mobile: $930; Sprint: $960; US Cellular: $963 AT&T: $850; Verizon: $840; T-Mobile: $850; Sprint: $850; US Cellular: $785 $769 (32GB); $869 (128GB); $969 (256GB) $479 (64GB), $539 (128GB) Price (GBP) £869 £779 £719 (32GB); £819 (128GB); £919 (256GB) £449 (64GB), £499 (128GB) Price (AUD) AU$1,499 AU$1,349 AU$1269 (32GB); AU$1419 (128GB); AU$1569 (256GB) Converts to AU$636 (64GB), AU$715 (128GB)
Source: Shiny Galaxy Note 8 gets dual cameras, but plays it safe