Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review, update: Specs of the 2013 Samsung Galaxy Note 8 include an Android 4.2.2 Jely Bean-powered OS, 8-inch display with S-Pen functionality, and a 1.6GHz quad-core processor.

More than a year after it’s availability date, this unit is still garnering positive reviews and a solid following. Like the Note 2, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a device on a class of its own.

There have been rumors that Samsung may launch a Galaxy Note 8 2014 edition, completing its Galaxy line of phablets and tablets, together with the Note 4 for this year. There are little to no reports circulating on a possible tablet, however, suggesting that the Note 8 may not have a successor. In the event that a new Note 8 comes to life, it’s presumed that it will be positioned to compete with the newly launched iPhone 6 Plus.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s earlier competition come from the likes of LG G Pad 8.3 as well as the Apple small-screen tablet iPad Mini. Neither, however, enables phone calls right from the device. It’s also facing competition with 7-inch screen tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7, Nexus 7, and even Evga Tegra Note 7.

Judging from its specs, the 8-inch tablet could have been a very functional Samsung device. It is both a handy digital notepad with a stylus and a tablet rolled into one. However, upon looking at the price tag (ranging around $399-349), we question if it is really that worth it.

Like other Samsung gadgets, the Galaxy Note 8 has a white plastic back that lessens its premium look and enhances its ‘toy-like’ image. Because of its unibody design, its back is non-removable. This means that you also have no access to the battery. Unlike the iPad Mini or HTC One, the Note 8 lacks a sturdy, solid feel.

It is also good to note that the device’s S-Pen is nowhere near a normal pen. So you would need some time to get used to it. Using the tiny 5.5 mm pen is like writing on a child’s broken pencil.

When it comes to display, there is a mix emotion on its size and quality. In terms of size, the screen is around 37 percent more viewable than other tablets such as the Nexus 7 (7 inches only) and Tegra Note (7 inches also). However, with a resolution of only 1280×800 pixels, it is sort of a disappointment.

High-cost tablets ranging between $399 and $349 should have the same range of resolutions as the Nexus 7 (1920×1280) and the iPad mini with Retina display (2048×1536). With higher resolutions, the Galaxy Note 8 could have displayed less pixelated images and more details.