Samsung stresses improved battery safety during Galaxy Note8 launch event

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

In case you missed it, Samsung has launched a successor to the doomed Galaxy Note7 phablet. The Galaxy Note8, an enormous 6.3-inch smartphone featuring all the latest Samsung technologies, is coming on September 15 and will be sold in Canada through Bell, Eastlink, Freedom, MTS, Rogers, Sasktel, Telus and Videotron. Off contract price is a whopping $1,200.00! Making this the most expensive Samsung handset in recent memory.

The big question many consumers have is, how safe is the Note8 given its predecessor's battery defects and subsequent $5.3 billion dollar recall. Samsung seems to have addressed this during today's launch.

"Samsung continues to uphold its commitment to lead the industry in battery safety. The Galaxy Note8’s battery has undergone our Samsung 8-point battery check," Samsung explained.

"We have been closely working with Samsung to make meaningful advancements in the science of smartphone quality and safety evaluation. As a result, the Galaxy Note8 has successfully completed a rigorous series of device and battery safety compatibility test protocols. We look forward to maintaining our strategic relationship with Samsung to help ensure device safety for all consumers,” said Sajed Jesudas, SVP and President, UL International. UL (Underwriters Laboratories), is a global safety science leader and is vouching for Samsung.

In fariness to Samsung, the company did figure out the issue with the afflicted Note7 units which were spontaneoisly combusting at such an alarming rate that got Samsung Note7 devices banned from airplanes, recalled en masse and subsequently discontinued. Samsung even re-released refurbished Note7 (rebranded as the Fan Edition, no kidding)without the battery issues. 

This means that the Note8 should be a safe