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Leak: Galaxy Note 8 photo suggests Samsung will steal the iPhone 8’s limelight

Published Jun 13th, 2017 10:52AM EDT
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Release Date 2017
Image: Zach Epstein, BGR

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We love seeing photos of hotly anticipated smartphones leak, for obvious reasons. Excitement builds for big new releases long before companies get around to announcing their latest and greatest flagship phones, and leaked photos help build buzz as people see what’s in store before they’re supposed to. But sometimes a photo leaks and it leaves us with more questions than answers, and such is the case with a supposed image of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 8 that was just posted by a Chinese gadget site.

Way back in April, we saw what was said to be the first-ever photo of Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy Note 8. The phone was shown from the front side, which in most cases would be the most important angle for a smartphone leak. In the case of the Galaxy Note 8, however, our biggest question pertains to the back of the phone.

Like Apple, Samsung is said to be working on technology that would allow it to embed a fingerprint scanner into the display on a smartphone. The company supposedly wanted to debut the tech on the Galaxy S8, but its partners were unable to have the required components ready in time for mass production.  Unfortunately, recent reports have indicated that the same will be true of the Galaxy Note 8; Samsung wants an embedded fingerprint sensor, but leaks have suggested that the Note 8 will still have the scanner on the back.

On Tuesday, however, a Chinese site called CNMO.com (via Slashleaks) posted a purported photo of the Galaxy Note 8 showing the back of the handset. We can see the rumored dual camera clear as day, but far more interesting is what we don’t see: A fingerprint scanner on the back.

While the photo certainly appears to be genuine, the source does not have an extensive track record so we can’t rely too much on this image. If it is legitimate, however, Samsung may become the first company to launch a widely available smartphone with the fingerprint scanner embedded beneath the display, stealing the spotlight from Apple’s iPhone 8 in the process.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.