Tag: Samsung Galaxy Note8

T-Mobile has begun sending out an OTA update for the Galaxy Note8 on their network that brings a handful of improvements and fixes to the phablet.  The new version is build N950USQU1AQ15 for those keeping score at home and the over-the-air updates have already begun.  It is a small download, just 198MB.

The update brings the August Android Security Update to the Note8 along with a lot of stability improvements.  Most of the improvements are aimed at individual apps but there are also general improvements to be found in the update.

Samsung has finally started allowing the Bixby button on the S8 lineup and the new Note8 to be disabled… well, partially at least.  Bixby is Samsung’s assistant built into these phones and one of the biggest complaints about the Galaxy S8 lineup when it was released this summer was the fact that the dedicated hardware button for the assistant could not be disabled or remapped (to say Google Assistant).  Samsung stood by their decision and despite numerous hacks to get around this (which Samsung subsequently closed with software updates), pretty much forced the issue with users.  Until this past weekend.

A small software update for the Galaxy S8, S8 Plus and Note8 is allowing the button to be partially disabled.  In the Bixby settings, you can disable to button although it will still fire up if you long press the button.  The software update does not allow for remapping of the button.

T-Mobile has rolled out another BOGO plan and this one is on a phone that’s not even available yet.  The carrier famous for these types of deals, is bringing customers the ability to get a free Galaxy Note8 when they purchase one through their payment program.  It is a pretty sweet deal and if you and a significant other are looking to get the new Note8, this could be the way to go.

Here is how it works.  First, you need to pre-order a Galaxy Note8 on the T-Mobile site.  You must select the monthly payment plan (paying in full won’t get you the 2nd one free) which means you will be on a 2-year plan with T-Mobile.  The free Note8 is done through billing credits that are applied to your account and that can take a couple of months to appear.  Also, you will need to pay the taxes on the 2nd device.  This is virtually the same program T-Mobile ran earlier on the Galaxy S8 and they have run it on other phones too.  Even with the caveats, its a great deal.

With the Samsung Galaxy Note8 announced earlier this morning, the focus now turns to the carriers here in the United States as to what the pricing is going to be for their customers.  As for Samsung, they will be selling the Note8 unlocked for $960 and that is pretty much on par with carriers but with added payment options.

AT&T hasn’t explicitly called out their pricing for the Note8 at the time of this post but we do know that it will be $31.67 per month for 30 months.  If you order before September 14th, you get your choice of either a Gear 360 Camera or the Galaxy Foundation Kit which contains a 128GB EVO+ microSD card and wireless charging station.