Samsung confirms Galaxy Note 8, explains why the brand is staying

Samsung CEO D. J. Koh has confirmed that the Galaxy Note 8 is coming and affirmed that it will be “better” and “safer” than its predecessor. The direction of the flagship phone series had been in a state of uncertainty following the cancellation of the Galaxy Note 7 last year, after a manufacturing defect resulting in a number of units catching fire.

Samsung has only just revealed why the Note 7s caught fire, but it appears that the company’s investigation into its route cause yielded more than just an answer to that question.

“We found through the investigative process, we knew there are lots and lots of loyal Note customers,” said Koh, in an interview with CNET.

Indeed, love of the Galaxy Note 7 seems so strong that consumers are even willing to risk the device catching fire; not all Galaxy Note 7 units have been returned, despite a number of attempts and incentives from Samsung to encourage owners to do so. As it stands, around 97 percent of Galaxy Note 7’s worldwide are now back in Samsung’s possession, and more have been crippled in carrier attempts to prevent further usage.

In the same interview, Tim Baxter, President and COO of Samsung US, said that more than 10,000 people had signed up for future updates from Samsung regarding its products and that a number of Note 4 and 5 owners out there are still searching for an upgrade.

“They made it clear, they want a Note,” said Baxter.

With regards to what the Note 8 would offer, specifics weren’t provided, though Koh said it would be “very innovative.” Hopefully, this time, for the right reasons.