Galaxy Note 8 v Galaxy S8 - Which Samsung smartphone is the best and which should you buy?

SAMSUNG'S all-new Galaxy Note 8 has just been revealed and it's set to go head-to-head with the Korean tech firm's Galaxy S8. So which is best? Express.co.uk takes a look at these flagship phones.

Samsung has had a stellar year with the launch of its stunning flagship Galaxy S8.

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With its unique curved design this blockbuster smartphone is on course to win every gong going in 2017.

However, it's just got some serious competition in the form of the all-new Galaxy Note 8.

Samsung unveiled its latest phablet at an event last week and there's plenty of reasons why this new device could take the crown of the best phone of the year.

The S8 and Note 8 both feature a stunning Infinity display, latest processors, wireless charging and decent battery life but which is the really the best?

Express.co.uk has been lucky enough to have them in our hands and here's what we think.

WHAT’S NEW ON THE NOTE 8?

Although the Note 8 looks almost identical to the S8 there are some key differences.

Firstly, unlike the S8, you can only buy the Note 8 in one giant 6.3-inch size.

With its clever bezel-free design, Samsung has been able to keep the overall dimensions down, however, the Note 8 is still a very large device and it won't be for everyone.

If you don't mind its size there are plenty of extras you won't find on the Galaxy S8.

Being a Note smartphone, you'll find a new S Pen stylus tucked inside the base of the device.

This new digital pen is now more accurate and features a waterproof design so you can scribble on the screen when it's wet.

The S Pen also brings new Live Messages to the device which instantly turn handwriting into fun animated GIFS.

Plus a new translate feature means the S Pen can help decipher foreign text with one easy command.

Along with the S Pen is a completely revamped dual-lens camera on the rear of the Note.

Many hoped that Samsung would include a double camera on the Galaxy S8 but this feature never materialised.

Note 8 owners get two 12-megapixel snappers which have a number of neat tricks up their sleeve.

With a wide-angle and telephoto lens both included, the Note 8 now offers the ability to zoom without losing image quality and add DSLR-style depth of field to your family snaps.

Samsung is also allowing users to tweak this clever bokeh effect after the image is taken and even remove it altogether.

This is because the Note 8 always keeps a copy of the original image tucked in its memory banks.

To make full use of its monster monitor, Samsung has included a new feature called App Pair which instantly loads two of your favourites applications side by side on the display.

This means you can surf the web and check your emails at the same time or watch YouTube and tweet without closing apps.

App Pair is fully customisable with users able to choose which applications they want to be paired.

S8 v NOTE 8 PRICE?

There really is only one winner when it comes to price as the S8 is dramatically cheaper than the new Note 8.

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?

If you love the Note series you should definitely take a look at Samsung's latest member to this popular family.

The Note 8 is fabulous smartphone that offers a swathe of new features including the dual-lens camera and all-new S Pen.

However, this is a very big phone which may not suit all tastes.

The S8 is far more manageable in your hand and also won't make such a huge dent in your wallet.

Both devices are clear contenders for best phone of the year - you just have to decide if your pocket can cope with taking delivery of the Note 8.

Amazon is currently selling the S8 for £536 while the new Note 8 will set you back a very hefty £869.

Contract prices are also wildly different with the Note 8 costing around £48 per month - the S8 can currently be grabbed for just £29 per month.

It's also worth noting that you can pick up the S8 today but you'll have wait until September for the Note 8 to be officially released.