Samsung will unveil its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Note 8, during a press conference in New York on Wednesday morning.
Expect Samsung to talk about a lot of topics, but here's what I think we're going to ultimately see.
S Pen
Samsung's new smartphone is likely to look similar to the Galaxy S8+, though rumors suggest the screen is a hair larger. It will also pack Samsung's S Pen, which most folks simply refer to as a stylus. Samsung has done a good job thinking of new ways to use the S Pen, such as allowing users to take notes on the display even when it's off, and I expect we'll hear about new features on Wednesday.
An ecosystem of products
Samsung has been focused on its ecosystem of products. I expect Samsung will discuss how the Galaxy Note 8 works with its Gear 360 camera, the Gear VR headset and perhaps wearables such as its Gear Gear S3 smartwatch.
Bixby
I think Bixby, Samsung's new voice assistant, will also play a role on the Galaxy Note 8. The software hasn't been good so far, so perhaps Samsung will take some time to talk about enhancements.
Quality control
Samsung will also need to talk about quality control. The Galaxy Note 7 was recalled twice last year before Samsung ultimately killed production of the phone entirely. The brand likely suffered substantial damage from the headaches and risks that device caused. I bet Samsung will talk about changes to its testing and manufacturing to help quell fears about another dangerous device.
A new camera
The new camera on the Galaxy Note 8 will reportedly outdo even the Galaxy S8 (which features one of the best cameras on the market). The new camera may allow for portrait-style shots that other phones, such as the iPhone 7 Plus, already offer. As in the case of the Essential phone (pictured above), dual cameras sometimes feature a black-and-white sensor, in addition to a color sensor, for more accurate photos.
Galaxy Note 8 release
The rumor mill says Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 might be available for preorders as soon as this week, with the device shipping in September, according to a report from The Verge. Sometimes Samsung ships its devices almost immediately after they're announced, though, and the sooner the phone goes on sale the more likely Samsung is to keep buyers out of Apple stores.
Samsung needs to tell us why we should want one
This is Samsung's last shot to attract new buyers before Apple's iPhone 8, which is expected next month. It's going to need to create a lot of hype around the brand and tell consumers why they should buy the Galaxy Note 8 instead of other phones. In a crowded smartphone market, and with a tarnished brand, that might be harder than ever. Samsung did not respond to a request for comment.
