Despite the Note 7's explosive history, Samsung is on track to launch a Galaxy Note 8 in the second half of August, according to a story published by Reuters citing sources familiar with the matter. The Note 8 is expected to utilise a similar design to the Galaxy S8 Plus, but feature a larger display, two rear-facing cameras, and Samsung's trademark S-Pen.
An August launch is in line with previous Note releases, and would likely mean the Note 8 ends up in in stores before Apple announces its tenth anniversary iPhone - presumably, the iPhone 8 - in September.
The ill-fated Note 7 was recalled shortly after its launch last year, due to an unfortunate tendency to catch fire. Similar issues existed with "safe" replacement devices, causing Samsung to axe the phone all together. In both cases, battery problems were at fault. In response to this, Samsung pledged to put all future smartphone batteries through a new eight-step testing process.
Coinciding with Samsung's report into why the Note 7 caught fire at the start of the year, the company's mobile chief D.J. Koh told CNET a Note 8 was on the cards, despite the baggage the brand now carries.
"I will bring back a better, safer and very innovative Note 8," said Koh. "We found through the investigative process, we knew there are lots and lots of loyal Note customers."
In fact, some Note 7 owners were a little too loyal, and refused to return the defective handset. This eventually prompted Australian telcos to prevent the phone from even connection to their networks.
Alex Choros
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